Maackia amurensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAK-ee-uh am-or-EN-sis
- Description
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Maackia is a small, flowering, deciduous tree or shrub with a rounded crown, low trunk, and stiff, spiny interlacing branches in the bean family. It is an adaptable tree with a mature height and width of 30 feet in cultivation and 60 feet in the wild. It has amber to brown peeling bark, pea-like flowers with a scent of vanilla that appear in late spring, and 2 to 4 inch, flat seed pods in fall. The genus name honors Richard Karlovich Maak, a 19th century Russian naturalist and explorer. The species name recognizes the Amur River valley where the tree was discovered.
Maackia does best in average, medium moisture, loose well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, but prefers full sun and does not tolerate extreme wet or dry sites. It will tolerate cold temperatures and a range of soil types, including heavy clay, and has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
The tree transplants easily and can be pruned to shape; however, it is best to do this when the tree is young. Large cuts on an older tree will be slow to heal. Also, prune in summer after flowering has ceased. Pruning in winter causes bleeding and low temperatures prevent wound healing.
This tree is similar to yellowwood (Cladrastis) although yellowwood is slightly larger, has more attractive flowers, and excellent fall color.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Starburst'
20 to 25 feet high and wide, white flowers, dense, vigorous, and uniform.
- 'Starburst'
- 'Starburst'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Starburst'
20 to 25 feet high and wide, white flowers, dense, vigorous, and uniform.
- 'Starburst'
- 'Starburst'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Maackia
- Species:
- amurensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood is heavy and very hard making it useful for framing the interior of houses, utensils, and tool handles.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Japan, and Korea
- Distribution:
- Central and western Russia, Ukraine, North Carolina
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Flat seed pods (2 to 3 inches long) appear after flowers.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, white, pea-like flowers on 4 to 6 inch, erect, spike-like raceme appear in late spring, early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Compound, odd-pinnate, dark olive green leaves (7 to 13 leaflets each) appear in summer. No fall color. 3-8 in. compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Bronze bark exfoliates on mature trees.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Insect Pests
