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FACT SHEET: AMUR CORKTREE

Amur Corktree 

Phellodendron amurense Rupr. 

Citrus family (Rutaceae) 

NATIVE RANGE 

Eastern Asia including Northern China (Manchuria, Ussuri, Amur), Korea, and 

Japan 

DESCRIPTION 

Amur corktree is a deciduous tree named for its thick corky bark (from Greek: 

phellos for cork and dendron for tree). Mature trees have shelf-like branching 

and grow from 35-50 ft in height with a spread nearly as wide. Corktree bark is 

a light golden brown on younger trees and gray-brown, ridged, and furrowed 

on mature trees. Both young and old trees have bark that is slightly spongy or 

corky to the touch and a distinctive bright neon yellow layer of inner bark that 

can be revealed with a quick scrape of a pocket-knife. The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound and composed of 5-

13 entire leaflets that are dark green, turning bright yellow in the fall. When crushed, the leaves have a distinctive citrusy 

smell sometimes likened to a disinfectant or skunk odor. Male and female plants are separate (dioecious) and each bears 

hanging panicles of yellowish-green flowers from May through June. From mid-June to mid-July, female trees produce 

abundant clusters of fruits (technically drupes) which are 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in. diameter. The fruits bright are green, turning black in 

late summer to fall, and may remain on the tree until early winter. Male trees do not produce fruit. The wood of the tree is 

strong and rot resistant and is prized by some woodworkers. 

ECOLOGICAL THREAT 

Amur corktree outcompetes native tree and shrub species including oaks and hickories 

in forested natural areas. It may inhibit and suppress regeneration of overstory canopy 

trees. Corktree's effect on eastern American forest communities does not depend on 

the health and growth of individual large trees but on the great number of small ones. 

Oaks and hickories provide a nutritious fat-containing nut for wildlife that remains 

available through the winter, whereas corktree provides sugary berries that are lower in 

nutritional value. Many birds and mammals are dependant on oaks and hickories for 

food, including grackles, turkey, grouse, quail, blue jays, woodpeckers, waterfowl, deer, 

bear, squirrels, mice, rabbits, foxes, and raccoons. Because wildlife populations vary 

with the availability of acorns, populations of acorn-dependent species decrease in 

forests where Amur corktree has become established. 

Amur corktree is invasive in parks and natural areas in New York City, New York and 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it has escaped from plantings. Within fifty years of 

its planting as an ornamental, it has become a dominant tree in New York City parks. 

The establishment and spread of corktree at three Audubon wildlife sanctuaries in 

eastern Massachusetts has been documented. It does especially well in forests and 

wooded areas that have been exposed to human disturbance, where it forms dense 

stands and crowds out native species. Corktree changes the light regime of forest 

understory with shelf-like branching that shades out seedlings of competing species. 

The high volume of seed produced and relative lack of seed predators gives it an 

additional competitive advantage over native species. 
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DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES 

Amur corktree has reported to be invasive in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania 

and Virginia, and Massachusetts. Based on its USDA hardiness rating, 

corktree could occur in Zones 4 to 7, possibly even 3 to 9. Although some have 

recommended corktree for use in landscaping and as a street tree in parts of 

the U.S., its ability to withstand urban pollution, root constriction, and frost is 

highly variable. 

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES 

Corktree grows well in full sun or as an understory tree beneath the shade of a 

closed canopy oak forest. It can germinate and establish a dense and durable 

understory under the shade of mature oak-dominated forests. In youth, at least, it is highly shade tolerant in eastern oak 

forests. It responds to release from overstory shade but is not fatally supressed by it. Corktree may inhibit and suppress 

regeneration of overstory canopy trees. 

Corktree grows best on moist, well-drained soils, but can tolerate periods of dry soils and a wide range of soil pH from 5.0 

to 8.2. It has a competitive advantage over native species in the more alkaline soils of urban areas and it has no known 

pests in this country which is one of the reasons it is recommended for street and landscape planting. The Urban 

Horticulture Institute at Cornell University recommends Amur corktree for landscape plantings but notes that the tree can 

naturalize if planted near a forest. Some advocates recommend planting a male cultivar to avoid berries that are messy 

and stain sidewalks. Corktree appears to do less well in edge habitats in urban areas, where black locust and tree of 

heaven offer strong competition. Seedlings can establish under parent trees and very dense stands (greater than 36/acre) 

have been observed. 

BACKGROUND 

Amur corktree was introduced to the U.S. around 1856. The Harvard University Arnold 

Arboretum first acquired the sachalinense variety of the tree in 1901 and the true 

amurense variety in 1906. By 1933, the New York Botanical Garden reported it to be 

naturalized in their forests, where it remains today. The bark of Amur corktree has 

been prized for its use in traditional medicine in China, India and Japan. The inner 

yellow bark was used to make a special dye in ancient China and to make yellow paper 

for governmental and religious documents. In this country the tree has been used as 

an ornamental and street tree and is widely planted on college campuses. Demand for 

corktree and its varieties as a street tree are increasing as shown by a recent study of 

urban foresters in Ohio. The strong, rot resistant wood is useful for creating railings and 

bollards for erosion control. 

BIOLOGY & SPREAD 

In forests, Amur corktree reaches reproductive maturity at about 3 to 5 years of age 

and has been classified as having a moderate to fast growth rate of 10 to 12 ft. over a 

5 to 8 year period. The trees produce abundant seed which is dispersed by birds and 

probably by water via streams and other drainages. Native birds such as the Northern 

robin eat the drupes late in the fall and winter and seem to prefer it over other available 

food sources. In New York, the seed is seldom found more than a few hundred yards 

from its source and may remain viable in the soil for a number of years. 

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 

The best way to control Amur corktree is not to plant it in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth hundreds of 

hours of labor and thousands of dollars spent that are needed to remove it once established. Control of corktree requires 

a long-term strategy with monitoring and follow-up because its seeds remain dormant in the soil for a few to several years 

and it tends to resprout vigorously after being cut back or incompletely girdled. Sprouts can also produce large amounts of 

seed. Managed sites should be monitored and retreated as needed for several years to ensure complete control. Female 

trees should be prioritized for control, to remove the primary seed source. They can be marked in the fall when the fruits 

are present and highly visible in the forest after the leaves have fallen. Cleared sites should be replanted with appropriate 

native species to prevent reestablishment of corktree. 
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Chemical 

The most effective management of Amur corktree is through a combination of cutting or girdling followed by application of 

a systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides that have been used successfully for corktree control include triclopyr (e.g., 

Garlon® 3A, Garlon® 4, and Pathfinder II®). Garlon® 3A is an amine formulation that can be used as a cut stump 

treatment. Garlon® 4 is an ester formulation that can be used either as a foliar spray on stands of seedlings, or a basal 

bark treatment mixed with horticultural or other recommended oil. Pathfinder II®, a premixed combination of triclopyr and 

oil, works well applied as a basal bark treatment straight out of the bottle. 

Systemic herbicides like triclopyr (e.g., Garlon® 3A and Garlon® 4) and glyphosate (e.g., Accord®, Glypro®, Rodeo®) are 

absorbed into plant tissues and carried to the roots, killing the entire plant within about a week. Herbicide applications can 

be made any time of year as long as temperatures are above 55-60oF for 24 to 48 hrs and rain is not expected for at least 

24 hours. Fall and winter applications will avoid or minimize impacts to native plants and animals. Generally, applications 

should not be made when temperatures are above 85oF because the mixture may be subject to volatization. Repeated 

treatments are likely to be needed. Follow-up monitoring should be conducted to ensure effective control. As much as 

possible, avoid contact of the herbicide with desirable plants. In areas where spring wildflowers or other native plants are 

interspersed, application of herbicides should be done prior to their emergence or delayed until they have died back. If 

native grasses are intermingled with the corktree, triclopyr is a better optin because it is selective for broad-leaved plants 

and will not harm grasses. 

Glyphosate products referred to in this fact sheet are sold under a variety of brand names (Accord, Rodeo®, Roundup 

Pro® Concentrate) and in three concentrations (41.0, 50.2 and 53.8% active ingredient). Other glyphosate products sold 

at home improvement stores may be too dilute to obtain effective control. Triclopyr comes in two forms – triclopyr amine 

(e.g., Garlon® 3A, Brush-B-Gone®, Brush Killer®) and triclopyr ester (e.g., Garlon® 4, Pathfinder®, and Vinex®). 

Because Garlon® 3A is a water-soluble salt that can cause severe eye damage, it is imperative that you wear protective 

goggles to protect yourself from splashes. Garlon® 4 is soluble in oil or water, is highly volatile and can be extremely toxic 

to fish and aquatic invertebrates. It should not be used in or near water sources or wetlands and should only be applied 

under cool, calm conditions. 

Manual 

Young seedlings may be pulled by hand, preferably when the soil is moist. 

Mechanical 

Older trees will need to be cut, girdled, or sprayed. Cutting alone is not recommended because corktree resprouts 

vigorously. Repeated cutting over time should kill trees and repeated cutting of female trees will help reduce the number 

of seeds produced. Girdling may be effective, but an incomplete girdle will allow the tree to continue growing and 

resprouting may occur below the girdle. 

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: Always read the entire pesticide label carefully, follow all mixing and application instructions and wear all 

recommended personal protective gear and clothing. Contact your state department of agriculture for any additional pesticide use 

requirements, restrictions or recommendations. 

NOTICE: mention of pesticide products on this page does not constitute endorsement of any material.

CONTACTS 

For more information on the management of Amur corktree, please contact: 

• Lou Wagner, Regional Scientist, Greater Boston & North Shore Region Massachusetts Audubon, 346 Grapevine 

Rd., Wenham, MA 01984; 978-927-1122, ext. 2705; 978-922-8487(f); lwagner at massaudubon.org 

• Tim Wenskus, Senior Forester, Natural Resources Group, City of New York, Parks & Recreation, 1234 Fifth Ave., 

Room 233, New York, NY 10029; 212-360-1427; tim.wenskus at parks.nyc.gov 

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS 

There are many alternative trees that can be planted in place of the Amur Corktree. In the mid-Atlantic region tuliptree 

(Liriodendron tulipifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), black walnut (Juglans nigra), willow oak (Quercus phellos), 

service berry (Amelanchier laevisa), and red bud (Cercis canadensis) may all be used. The Natural Resources Group of 

the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is planting sweetgum and tulip tree on corktree removal sites 

because they are relatively fast growing and hardy trees. Because U.S. native plants can become invasive outside their 
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natural, historical ranges, be sure to use plant species native to the ecological region you live in. Check with your local 

native plant society for recommendations of species and sources of native plants. 

AUTHOR 

Dani Simons, Yale University, New Haven CT 

EDITOR 

Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service, Washington, DC 

REVIEWERS 

Tim Wenskus, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, NY 

Lou Wagner, Greater Boston & North Shore Region Massachusetts Audubon, Wenham, MA 

Tony Emmerich, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

Lou Wagner, Greater Boston & North Shore Region Massachusetts Audubon, Wenham, MA

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http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

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