Introduction

A very hardy and adaptable tree, Amur Maackia is a slow-growing, deciduous tree which reaches 45 feet tall in the wild but is most often seen at 20 to 30 feet in landscapes. The multi-divided leaflets are grey/green when young but mature to dark green, and often drop in fall without significantly changing color. In summer, dense, erect, 8-inch-long racemes of bloom appear, each small, off-white flower tinged with very pale, dark-blue. These blooms are followed by the appearance of flat, two to three-inch-long pods. Amur Maackia may be well-suited to use as a street or container tree (or in other confined soil spaces in urban areas), where the peeling, orange/brown, shiny bark is especially noticeable. Usually seen with numerous small-diameter trunks originating from the lower trunk. Thirty-five-year-old, single-trunked trees have a diameter of about one foot.

General Information

Scientific name: Maackia amurensis

Pronunciation: MACK-ee-uh am-moor-EN-sis

Common name(s): Amur Maackia

Family: Leguminosae

USDA hardiness zones: 3A through 7B (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: container or planter; deck or patio; specimen; street without sidewalk; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median; parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; shade

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Description

Height: 20 to 35 feet

Spread: 15 to 25 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: vase, round

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: slow

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: oblong, ovate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches, 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: pod or pod-like

Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: brown

Current year twig thickness: thin, medium

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: yes

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

Lower branches slowly droop toward the horizontal as the tree grows forming an attractive outline - almost the perfect small tree form. If grown near a walk or along the street be sure to prune early in the life of the tree to locate the lower branches far enough up on the trunk where the drooping branches will not interfere with traffic below. This will eliminate the need to prune older trees which reportedly close over the pruning wound very slowly. Most branches grow upright and will form a wonderful canopy over a sidewalk or narrow road.

Amur Maackia should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, either acid or slightly alkaline. Plants should receive not be exposed to excessive flooding. Amur Maackia has nitrogen fixing bacteria associated with the root system and should require little maintenance other than some pruning early in the life of the tree. It should be grown and planted more often. It was one of the most drought tolerant trees during the 1988 drought.

Propagation is by seed or by cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern.