Coppicing Royal Purple Smoke Bush

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janecarol2 Fort Jennings, OH Sep 23, 2008

I just purchased a Royal Purple Smoke Bush, and plan to coppice it (cut back to the ground) to produce colorful foliage. Can anyone tell me how tall it will become after it has been coppiced? Also, when would be the best time to begin coppicing?

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snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Sep 24, 2008

Here is what The American Horticultural Society in their "Pruning & Training Manual" says about coppicing Cotinus coggygria.
" In the first year select three to five strong stems as the main framework, pruning them to 24" to 36". In subsequent years cut all the previous year's stems back by about 3/4, but take care to leave at least two strong buds; harder pruning will produce less vigorous shoots."

This type of pruning does eliminate any flowering, but I've seen the gorgeous foliage that results.

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janecarol2 Fort Jennings, OH Sep 24, 2008

Thanks for the info snapple45. My smokebush has many branches on it already, but I read I should wait until the roots are established before coppicing. I assume this means I should wait at least a couple of years after planting it to begin coppicing. I'm not sure where to plant it because I don't know the size it will become eventually become.

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snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Sep 24, 2008

I can't really say about size. It depends on the age of the shrub and how vigorous it is. I've always seen them positioned mid border.

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janecarol2 Fort Jennings, OH Sep 24, 2008

Hmmm, mid border, perhaps 6 to 7' high? Thanks Snapple45 for responding.

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