Japanese Corktree

Description

A tree with a sturdy vertical trunk from which branches grow widespread and extended, eventually leading to a fan-shaped rounded crown. Phellodendron japonicum remains smaller than P. amurense and has a thinner bark. The bark is grey-brown and develops fine grooves; later small bark plates form. The twigs turn from reddish-brown to even brown. The imparipinnate leaves, covered with velvety hair, consist of ovoid leaf segments with a tapered pointed leaf end, 7 - 12 cm long. The leaves turn yellow in the autumn and remain longer on the tree than those of P. amurense. The greenish flower plumes are downy and approx. 8 - 9 cm in length and breadth. They are followed by fruit in the form of black drupes (berries) that smell of turpentine. They remain hanging in the tree the entire winter. Saplings especially are sensitive to frost.