Amur corktree (male only) | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Rue
Family (botanic) Rutaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Medium tree (25-40 feet), Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 30-45 feet
Mature width 30-60 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Dry sites, Occasional drought, Road salt
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Open, Round
Growth rate Moderate
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Aggressive, Messy fruit/plant parts
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Amur corktree is native to China and Japan.

Bark color and texture:

On older trees, the bark becomes deeply ridged and furrowed. It is very distinctive and attractive.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The compound leaves are opposite, with 5 to 11 leaflets. The leaf margins are entire. Leaves are dark green in summer, changing to a clear yellow in autumn.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

The male and female flowers are on separate trees and are not ornamentally important.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The fruit develops only on female trees. They are small, black, berry-like drupes. They have a strong odor when crushed.

**His Majesty™ (Phellodendron amurense ‘His Majesty’):**

This cultivar is considered to be generally fruitless. Its habit is more vase-shaped. It is considered a hybrid of P. amurense and P. sachalinense.