Common Name: Chinese Cork Tree

General Information

Phellodendron chinense is a deciduous tree that can grow 10 - 15 metres tall.
A popular and commonly used herbal medicine in eastern Asia, where the tree is harvested from the wild and also often cultivated. The plant has also been grown in the past for the yellow dye obtained from its bark, and is often grown as an ornamental.
Phellodendron chinense has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern and eastern China (Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan.)

Habitat

Mixed broad-leaved forests, open to dense forests; usually at elevations from 800 - 1,500 metres, occasionally to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Phellodendron chinense is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c or more when fully dormant. The young growth is much more tender, however, and is liable to damage from late spring frosts. The plant grows best in areas with long hot summers, which allow it to fully ripen its wood and make it more tolerant of winter cold[, , ].
Prefers a moisture retentive well-drained deep rich loam in full sun[, ]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[]. Succeeds on shallow chalky soils[]. Grows best in areas with long hot summers[]. Plants are gross feeders and require a rich soil if they are to perform well[].
The leaves are aromatic[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

This species is used in Chinese herbalism in the same way as Phellodendron amurense[, , ]. These uses are as follows:-

Amur cork tree, called Huang Bai in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs, but one that should be used with care[, ]. A strongly bitter remedy, the bark acts strongly on the kidneys and is regarded as a detoxicant for hot damp conditions[].
Huang Bai should only be used under professional supervision and should not be take during pregnancy according to one report[], whilst another says that it is the 'poor man's cure-all' being employed both externally and internally as a treatment for almost every ailment[].

The bark is alterative, antibacterial, antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, bitter stomachic, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, skin, vasodilator, vulnerary and tonic[, , , , , , , ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of acute diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice, vaginal infections including Trichomonas, acute urinary tract infections, enteritis, boils, abscesses, night sweats and inflammatory skin diseases[, , ]. It is commonly used in conjunction with Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis in a preparation called 'injection of three yellow herbs'[]. It is given intramuscularly for upper respiratory tract infections[].
The plant is applied topically in the treatment of skin conditions and injuries such as eczema, pustules, scalds and burns[].
The bark of 10 year old trees is harvested in the winter or spring and dried for later use[, ].

The fruit is expectorant[].

The bark contains the alkaloid 'berberine', which is known to have a marked antibacterial effect[, ].

Recent research has shown that the bark is useful in the treatment of meningitis and conjunctivitis[].

Other Uses

An extract of the bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[]. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification, sow in late winter in a cold frame[, ]. Germination is usually good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in autumn and over winter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[].
Root cuttings - obtain in December and store in leafmold in a warm place for 3 weeks. Cut into 4cm lengths and plant horizontally in pots. Grow on in a warm greenhouse. Good percentage[].