Phellodendron amurense Seeds | Cortex Phellodendri Huang Bai
LATIN NAME: Phellodendron amurense
COMMON NAME: Amur Cork Tree, Huang Bai, Amur Corktree
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Amur Cork Tree, Phellodendron amurense is a deciduous tree in the rue family, native to cold forests of northeastern Asia, while it is grown for its fine, leafy crown, its remarkable bark. The Amur cork tree is a handsome and stately tree of cold forests, and it is tree of thick, soft, corky bark. At maturity it stands about Fifteen metres. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the rue family, Phellodendron amurense draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. The Amur cork tree has a real and distinguished place in the research. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Amur Cork Tree earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Its small, greenish-yellow flowers feed bees and insects, and its clusters of small, black, berry-like fruits feed birds, while its fine, pinnate foliage gives a light, airy shade to the park. For a grower, the Amur cork tree is a rewarding and interesting tree, and for a gardener it brings a fine, pinnate, corky-barked tree to the garden. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Phellodendron bark, Huang Bai, is a major Chinese heat-clearing herb rich in berberine, studied for antimicrobial and metabolic effects; the corky tree is also a handsome drought-tough shade tree.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Amur Cork Tree, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
As a deciduous tree, it settles into a routine quickly once established. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
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