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Amur maackia

Maackia amurensis

Common names:
Amur maackia

Content Detail

Amur maackia is a compact, rounded tree suitable for smaller landscapes. The compound leaves emerge silvery-green in spring, changing to medium green in summer. White, spiky flowers appear in midsummer when little else is flowering. Mottled olive-green bark adds to its winter interest.

  • Family (English) Pea
  • Family (botanic) Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae)
  • Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Restricted sites, Wide median
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small tree (15-25 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet)
  • Mature height 20-30 feet
  • Mature width 20-35 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early summer, midsummer
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Round
  • Growth rate Slow
  • Transplants well Yes
  • Wildlife Insect pollinators
  • Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat: 

Amur maackia is native to Manchuria and Korea. 

Bark color and texture: 

The bark is copper-brown and will begin to peel a little with age. It provides interest in winter.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture: 

The compound leaves are alternate, while the leaflets are opposite. The whole leaf is 8 to 12 inches long. The leaf opens somewhat gray-green and matures to dark green. There is no color change in fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

White, pea-type flowers are arranged in upright clusters. Lightly fragrant flowers appear in early summer.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: 

The fruit is a flat legume (pod), similar to those produced by redbud trees. They are brown and 2 to 3 inches long.

Plant Care: 

This tree is able to adapt to both alkaline and acid soils. It prefers a well-drained soil.

List of pests and diseases: 

This tree has no serious problems.

MaacNificent® Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis ‘JFS-Schichtel1’):  

This is a more cold hardy cultivar (zone 3) with a vase-shaped habit and yellow fall color. It grows 30 feet high and 20 feet wide.

Summertime™ Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis ‘Summertime’): 

Another more cold hardy cultivar (zone 3) introduced by the University of Minnesota. It has a round form, growing 15 to 20 feet high and 12 to 15 feet wide.

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