How large it will get depends on where you establish the permanent woody framework. I have a 10 y.o. Continus 'Royal Purple' that I coppice annually to approximately chest high. This produces an abundance of straight shoots that extend around another 3-4 feet and depending on the season, sometimes longer. In effect, the plant pretty much doubles in size during the course of the season and the appearance is that of a evenly rounded, largish shrub densely clothed in large, very deeply purple foliage. Mine is planted directly in front of the golden leafed Robinia 'Frisia' and the contrast is pretty stunning in midseason. You could take it back further but I prefer something with a permanent framework rather than cutting back to the ground or nearly so. As to vigor, I've not noticed any problems with this plant and it responds well to this practice, as does another handled in exactly the same manner at a local nursery. I believe I'd wait a couple of seasons before I started coppicing routinely to allow the shrub to establish well and develop some girth. If you intend to take it back quite low, you could probably start this process early next spring just as you see buds starting to form on the branches.

Thanks linnea56. It was my first time too to coppice smokebush but I have been told about 2 years ago to cut it but I was so scared. It came to a point(this year) that I couldn't stomach her appearance. I had to cut her down. Also, Mone and I dug 8 ft Ninebark from her yard. It was too big and wouldn't fit my van. I had to cut some of the branches. When I got home, I cut them down again back to 12 inches. Today, it is producing new branches and are even flowering on those branches. :) I'm not sure about other shrubs. marquest, So all you did is stick the cuttings to the ground right?

And with that, goes the self-proclaimed high ground argument of "scientific neutrality." It is finally revealed that snasxs has been basically just using semantics to shroud the effort to defend the defenseless: a lost botanical soul from the continental land mass due west of this continent, brainlessly trying to survive in this New World. Anger or hatred? Not sure where that sentiment is derived, but it sure ISN'T Sinophobia as related elsewhere. For me, I'd dislike this plant's behavior in local environments whether it was from east Asia or from the moon. As for unanswered questions: snasxs has never 'fessed up to the origin of this posting - the pretense of inability to discern differences between Rhus and Ailanthus, thus promoting equal acceptability of both. The posting of Sun, Jan 29, 12 at 13:45 is especially telling in this regard. Who could believe THAT?

I love my Elderberries. They are edible and you can make wine, jelly, and pies. They supposedly have medicinal properties as well. Birds love the berries! I used to watch a parade of birds frequent my Elderberries until a Robin claimed the back yard as his territory. He hogs the bird bath and the Elderberries. So then I spread the shrubs farther apart thinking the Robin couldn't monopolize them. We shall see because they are still recovering from transplant. Maybe you can move the shrub in the fall if you don't want it there. They are pretty easy to move. A worthy native shrub. This post was edited by terrene on Sat, Jun 15, 13 at 21:58