Maackia amurensis

Common Name
Amur maackia

Family
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Tree or plant type / form
Woody deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit

Landscape Use
Small to medium-sized shade tree for residential landscapes, parks, along streets and other urban areas.

Season of interest and/or other ornamental feature(s)
The compound leaves emerge silvery-green in spring, changing to medium green in summer. Four to six-inch-long clusters of creamy white flowers appear in early summer when few trees are in bloom.  Exfoliating coppery-bronze bark adds winter interest.

Size at Landscape Maturity
Small to medium tree reaching 15 to 20 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide in 20 years; can eventually reach 30 to 40 feet tall and wide

Light exposure
Full sun to part shade

USDA Hardiness zones
3 – 8

Origin / Native locale
Eastern China, Russia, and Korea

Wildlife Value (incl. pollinators)
Favored by bees when in bloom

Soil Type & Drainage
Adaptable to a wide range of soils provided they are not consistently wet

Tolerances
Very tolerant of difficult urban environments; tolerates dry, infertile and alkaline soils

Leaf Description
Compound, odd-pinnate, dark olive-green leaves (7-13 leaflets each) are attractive in summer but exhibit no appreciable fall color.

Bloom Time in Northeast Ohio
Late June to early July

Flower Description
Erect, 4- to 6-inch-long racemes of white, fragrant (smells like mown grass) pea-like flowers

Cone / Fruit
Produces flat seed pods (2-4″ long) in fall

Available at
Secrest Arboretum Plant Discovery Days and selected local nurseries

Additional information  
Several cultivars of Amur maackia have been selected for improved flowering, foliage quality, and/or growth habit.  A few recommended varieties include ‘Summertime’, ‘Starburst’, and the newer ‘JFS-Schichtel1’ (sold as MaacNificent®) which features a more upright, vase-shaped crown than is typical for the species.