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Corktree

Phellodendron

Also called Cork Tree, Corktrees

Corktree
Photo: Kurt Stüber [1], CC BY-SA 3.0

Phellodendron, or cork-tree, is a genus of deciduous, dioecious trees from east and northeast Asia, grown mainly as ornamental shade trees. Commonly grown members include Amur cork-tree (Phellodendron amurense) and Chinese cork-tree (Phellodendron chinense); they are tough, adaptable trees that can become invasive.

Family
Rutaceae (Citrus family)
Grows as
Tree
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Water young trees regularly until established, then they need little extra watering.
Soil
Adaptable to a variety of soils, including clay and loam, with good drainage preferred.
Temperature
Hardy to zone 4; protect young trees from severe cold.
How easy
Easy

About

Phellodendron, or cork-tree, is a genus of deciduous, dioecious trees in the family Rutaceae, native to east and northeast Asia. It has leathery, pinnate leaves and yellow, clumped flowers. The name refers to the thick and corky bark of some (but not all) species in the genus.

How to grow it

As an ornamental plant, Phellodendron is a tree for all seasons. In spring it has yellow flowers, in summer it provides foliage and shade, in fall the leaves turn bright yellow, and the textured bark and winding branches add interest in the winter. The female bears black drupes that attract birds and other wildlife through the late fall and winter.

The cork-tree is resistant to drought and insects, and it can thrive in a variety of soils. It is hardy to zone 4 and it is easy to maintain, sometimes to the point of being invasive. One drawback is that the drupes fall and scatter, which may be undesirable on a formal lawn.

Other Phellodendron plants

Amur Cork Tree

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Phellodendron by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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