Smoke Tree is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. Notably, it shrugs off deer and shrugs off dry spells. Its spring flowers are a modest draw for honeybees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5-8
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Smoke Tree on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether smoke tree actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score smoke tree against your land's real conditions.
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What Smoke Tree is
Smoke Tree grows as a perennial and reaches around 15 feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Smoke Tree
Smoke Tree does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 150 frost-free days and about 300 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
15 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
300+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
150+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set smoke tree in full sun with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Smoke Tree prefers pH 5 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Be patient, then harvest
Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — smoke tree is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Smoke Tree offers low value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Smoke Tree thrives
Whether smoke tree thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Smoke Tree will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether smoke tree actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Smoke Tree in my zone?
Zone data for smoke tree is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Smoke Tree?
Set smoke tree out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Smoke Tree need?
Smoke Tree needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Smoke Tree need?
Smoke Tree prefers soil pH 5 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Smoke Tree attract pollinators?
Yes — smoke tree's flowers are a modest nectar source for honeybees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Smoke Tree safe for pets?
Smoke Tree is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.