Phellodendron amurense Shademaster

Shademaster Amur Corktree

Phellodendron amurense ‘Shademaster’ — Shademaster® Amur Corktree
Shademaster® Amur Corktree is a male, fruitless selection of Amur corktree grown for its broad-spreading shade canopy, lustrous compound green foliage, distinctive corky gray-brown bark, and yellow fall color. Because Phellodendron amurense is dioecious, male selections like ‘Shademaster’ do not produce the black fruit that can lead to messy seedlings, although male trees can still pollinate nearby female trees.

Type: Deciduous shade tree
Mature Size: 30–45 ft. tall × 30–50+ ft. wide
USDA Zones: 4a–7b, with some sources listing Zone 3 tolerance for the species
Form: Broad-spreading, rounded to vase-shaped shade tree with heavy horizontal branching
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Adaptable to average, well-drained soils; tolerates dry sites, alkaline soil, wind, and some urban stress once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring, usually May–June; small yellow-green flowers are not showy
Wildlife: Flowers may attract bees; male cultivar does not produce fruit for birds.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Useful as a medium to large lawn, park, or shade tree where there is plenty of room for its wide canopy. The bark becomes more ornamental with age, developing a thick, ridged, cork-like texture. ‘Shademaster’ is preferred over seed-producing female trees because it avoids fruit mess and reduces seedling spread, but Amur corktree is considered invasive or problematic in some regions, so local restrictions should be checked before planting.

Care:
Plant in full sun with enough open space for the mature spread. Water regularly during establishment, then only during extended drought. Prune when young to develop strong branch structure and good clearance, because the tree naturally forms broad, low, horizontal limbs. Avoid planting near female Amur corktrees if seed production and invasiveness are concerns.

Plant type

Deciduous Tree

Height

30-50'

Width

30-45'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun

Bloom time

Early Summer

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Attracts

Bees

Soil

Alkaline, Average, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Provide Shade

Shape

Rounded, Spreading Canopy, Vase Shaped

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No