Amur Cork Tree

A characterful and wide-spreading deciduous tree, Phellodendron amurense is prized for its architectural form and fascinating texture. Commonly known as the Amur Cork Tree, its most striking feature is its thick, corky and deeply fissured grey-brown bark which develops beautifully with age. The foliage consists of large, elegant, pinnate leaves that emerge a fresh green in Spring and turn a clear, bright yellow in Autumn. When crushed, the leaves release a distinctive, pungent citrus-like aroma. While the small clusters of yellow-green flowers are subtle, female trees produce decorative bunches of small black berries that persist into winter, providing a valuable food source for birds. This tree also has many important uses in traditional Chinese medicine. 

Site: Tolerates exposure, needs space to spread 
Soil: Adaptable to most soils, but prefers well-drained loamy soil
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Summer foliage, Autumn colour, Winter berries
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 30–45’ (10–15m) Spread: 30–50’ (10–15m)

Image 1 by Bruce Marlin licensed by CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 by wlcutler licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
Image 3 by Anneli Salo, licensed by CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons