Lavalle corktree
Phellodendron lavalleifam. Rutaceae
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Pl. FF3C — Phellodendron lavallei
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IOverview
Overview
Lavalle corktree (Phellodendron lavallei), a deciduous tree native to the forests of Amur, China North-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Islands, and parts of Vietnam, is a versatile and ornamental addition to gardens. This tree thrives in full sun with moist, well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay), and is hardy in zones 5-9, reaching a height of about 10 meters. Its distinctive feature lies in the edible quality of its fruit, making it not only an ornamental addition to gardens but also a valuable source of sustenance. Ethnobotanically, the plant has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support immune function, with a decoction of bark potentially helping to modulate inflammatory responses and enhance the body's defense mechanisms. Additionally, the tree has been introduced into Bulgaria, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Québec, Romania, and Tadzhikistan, where it can be cultivated for its various utility purposes, including cork, dye, pest control, oil, and lumber. While the plant has traditional uses, PlantSage presents these as ethnobotanical contexts and not as medical advice.
Quick answers
What is Lavalle corktree?
Lavalle corktree (Phellodendron lavallei), a deciduous tree native to the forests of Amur, China North-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Islands, and parts of Vietnam, is a versatile and ornamental addition to gardens.
What is Lavalle corktree used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Lavalle corktree
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional-use note: Lavalle corktree appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
▲ ModerateStress & anxiety → - Phellodendron species, including Lavalle corktree, have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support immune function. A decoction of bark may help modulate inflammatory responses and enhance the body's defense mechanisms.
The active compounds berberine and phellodendrine are known for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, though the exact mechanism is not fully characterised.
▲ ModerateImmune support →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Lavalle corktree thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-9 and can grow up to 10 meters tall. This tree is native to regions including Amur, China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia. For cultivation, the fruit is edible, and the bark has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support the immune system and modulate inflammatory responses. Ethnobotanical notes suggest the bark can be used in tinctures for calming and relaxation, though no medical claims are made.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Habit
Tree
Mature size
10.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Lavalle corktree for the first time
8steps
Start with planting a Lavalle corktree for its hardiness and ease of care.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Lavalle corktree sapling, garden gloves, a spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings directly into the garden, spacing them about 4-5 meters apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure and regular watering during dry spells. Prune in late winter to maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to remove dead branches and shape the tree. Harvest fruit when ripe, typically in autumn.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting winter protection in colder zones.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: Oil
Other uses:CorkDyePest controloilLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
14 native · 14 introduced
Distribution
14 native · 14 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 14 native· 14 introduced
Europe2 regions
introduced (2)BulgariaRomania
Asia6 regions
native (6)ChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanUzbekistanVietnam
Broader regions
native:Amur, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Primorye, Sakhalin
introduced:Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Québec, Tadzhikistan
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Rutaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Rutaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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