Amur Cork Tree
Phellodendron amurense · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Rutaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, no specific named cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
About This Tree
Medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded crown, often featuring multiple trunks and deeply furrowed, corky bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves featuring 5 to 13 leaflets, dark green above and paler beneath, turning a dull yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive thick, corky, deeply ridged bark with a spongy texture, often grayish-brown and deeply furrowed with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern Asia, including northern China, Korea, and Japan; naturalized in parts of North America.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring, produces small greenish-yellow flowers in summer, followed by clusters of black drupes in autumn, dropping leaves in late fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, but demonstrates good drought and pollution tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 30 to 45 feet with a comparable spread, moderate growth rate, and a medium lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban pollution and poor soils, valued for its unique corky bark and dense shade canopy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides cover and nesting sites for various birds; berries are consumed by some wildlife species, though the tree can become invasive in certain ecosystems.