Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - June 01, 2014
From: Battle Ground, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Transplants, Trees
Title: Transplant time for small smoke tree from Battle Ground WA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
When do I transplant a smoke tree that is still young, about a foot high? It is too close to a fence, which I fear will be a problem as it gets big. I live in Battle Ground, WA which is zone 6.ANSWER:
This USDA Plant Profile Map does not show Cotinus obovatus (American smoke tree) growing natively anywhere close to Washington State. The Plant Profile Map for Psorothamnus spinosus (Smoketree) shows it native only to California, Nevada and Arizona. There are 3 other plants in our Native Plant Database with the word "smoke" in their common names but none are what we would call trees.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, recommends the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but also to the area in which those are being grown; in your case, Clark County, WA on the southwestern corner of Washington State. This is to try to ensure that the soils, rainfall and climate are right for the plant in question.
According to Missouri Botanical Garden, there is also a Cotinus coggygria, in the same genus as Cotinus obovatus (American smoke tree), but native in southern Europe to central China, which means it would not be in our Native Plant Database.
However, although we obviously cannot say if your plant will do well in your location, we can tell you that our recommendation for the planting of woody plants (shrubs and trees) is that it be done in a cool time of the year; probably October or November in your area.
From the Image Gallery
More Transplants Questions
Problems with new transplant non-native weeping willow from Washington DC
September 10, 2012 - I replanted a very young BABY weeping willow tree and now it looks as if the leaves are drying up like it is dying. I know that it could also be in shock from the new transplant or it can be dying
...
view the full question and answer
Non-native house plants stressed from Allen TX
July 30, 2011 - I have three house plants that were plants I received from my father's funeral services. They were healthy for about two years and then we added some soil and now they are turning brown and appear t...
view the full question and answer
Proper watering of cedar elm trees in Sachse, TX
August 15, 2008 - I've just planted two Cedar elm trees in clay soil, each about four inches in diameter, and I want to water them correctly. I'm aware that too much water can be bad as well as too little water. I ...
view the full question and answer
When is the best time to transplant Esperanza bushe in Buda, TX?
September 04, 2013 - When is the best time to transplant an Esperanza bush? I want to move it because it is overwhelming my front yard.
Thank you,
view the full question and answer
Removal of pups from Century Plant after blooming in Prairieville LA
October 03, 2009 - Will the main part of the century plant always die after it grows a stalk? I have babies coming off the base and need to know if I should separate them to keep them alive.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |