Description
Phellodendron – Cork Tree –
There are about 10 deciduous, dioecious trees in the Rutaceae family, in this genus. They occur in moist stream margins in Eastern and Northeastern Asia. They produce opposite, pinnate, dull yellowish green to dark green leaves. In late spring and early summer it bears small, cup shaped green male and female flowers held in clusters on separate plants. Plants of both sexes must be grown together to produce the dark blue-black, spherical, aromatic fruits, ½” across. Grown for their habit, deeply furrowed, thick, corky bark and aromatic foliage, usually developing a rich shade of yellow in autumn, cork trees are best used as specimen trees in a garden that is large enough to accommodate their spreading habit.
Grow in deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun with some protection from wind.
P. amurense – Amur Cork Tree – This commonly grown species from Northeastern Asia grows 40-50′ feet tall and wide. It is a spreading tree with thick, corky, pale gray brown bark when mature. It produces pinnate leaves, to 14″ long, with up to 13 ovate to lance shaped, glossy, dark green leaflets, each 2-4″ long, with heart shaped bases and pungent aroma, that blue green beneath, turning yellow in autumn. In early summer it bears 5 petaled flowers, male and female on separate trees, followed by berries held in bunches above the foliage in dense bunches.
Zones 4-7
