Amur corktree is native of Eastern Asia including Northern China (Manchuria, Ussuri, Amur), Korea, and Japan
Phellodendron amurense is a perennial tree that can grow from 35 - 45 ft. (10 - 14 m.) tall. The tree has a short trunk with spreading branches. The bark is thick and corky. Leaves are opposite, compound (divided into 5 - 11 leaflets) and 10 - 15 in. (25 - 38 cm) long. Leaflets are elliptical, acute at the apex, 2.5 - 4.5 in. (6 - 11 cm) long and smell like turpentine when crushed. This species is dioecious (separate male and female trees). Pollinated flowers on female trees produce fleshy pea-size fruits which mature to black in fall and persist into the winter.
Amur corktree was introduced to the U.S. around 1856. It has been used as an ornamental tree that has been planted in parks, on college campuses, in other large areas, as well as on streets.