PlantFiles: Amur Corktree
Phellodendron amurense

This tree was developed by the University of MN to be hardy here.

I had planted the cultivar 'Macho' in my yard over three years ago. It has grown ok in some years. Last year it only grew a foot while it grew three feet in one growth spurt the year before. I would say that here in Illinois it is always guaranteed to defoliate once during the summer regardless of watering often or none at all during a drought. Maybe this gets better as it establishes. *UPDATE 3-15-07* The plant established well in its third summer and no longer does it defoliate prematurely. I was lucky enough in my opinion to get an awkward formed "macho" as it now is getting quite picturesque already. It had its leader die when young before I got it and has grown quite unformally since. Id say it has grown about 1.5' -2' every growing season. I cant be more pleased with a shade tree than I am with this plant. Unfortunately many nurseries still have "bradford pear mentality" when it comes to growing plants so if you can find one young cork tree that might the best way to go to shape it yourself. If you want a perfect vase shape tree get a disease resistant elm. If you want an artistic character this one can give it to you.