Handbook of Tkejks of the N(j 



The American Smoko-trcc is a larger tree 

 than the European species, as it sometimes 

 attains tlie height of 30 or IJf) ft., with a clear 

 iniuk 12-14 ill. in tliickncss and linn s])reading 

 branches. The trunk divides at S or 10 ft. 

 honi tlicgioiind into a few largr l.ranciies, whicli 

 form a hroad open tup. Tiic l.aik of trunk is 

 of a grayish color and very rough with thin 

 oblong somewhat imbricated scales. It is one 

 of till- rarest American trees, being found on 

 rocky slopes singly or in small groves scat- 

 tered among other trees in the limited re- 

 gions indicated on the accomi)anying map. 

 The Venetian tree with its beautiful plumose 

 bunches of sterile pedicels and fruit, making 

 its top suggestive of a puff of smoke or spray, 

 is a familiar object in ornamental shrubberies. 

 It is a tree vastly improved by selection and 

 propagation upon its native condition, and the 

 American tree, while now less profuse in its 

 display of " smoke." than the European tree 

 may be susceptible of like improvement, while 

 it has the additional advantage of greater 

 Kize and more ornamental foliage. 



The wood is rather light, a cu. ft. weighing 

 when absolutely dry 40.04 lbs., soft, durable 

 and of a light yellow or orange color and very 

 thin white sap-wood and is used locally for 

 dying orange color. - 



Leaves oval to obovate. 4-0 in. long, thinish. 

 mostl.v pptiolato but the lowermost of the season's 

 {growth subsessile. decurrent on the petioles, 

 rounded or emarginate at apex, entire, glabrous, 

 dark green above, naler and pubescent on the 

 midribs beneath. Flnirrrs (April-Ma.v» Vs. in. 

 across greenish, in panicles ."-C. in. long. Friiil 

 drupelets about Vs in. lon^ and prf)duced sparingly 

 among the plumose steril pedicels.' 



K-.N- S'l 



-VND CaNADJ 



30^ 



1. Syn. Rhus cotinoides 

 loides (Nutt.) Britt. 



2. A. W., XT, 256. 



o. For genus see p. 44rt. 



Nutt. Cotinus cnti 



