Maackia

maackia

( MAK - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species of deciduous trees that need full sun and regular water to thrive in the landscape. These trees produce feathery leaves and grow at a slow to moderate rate, reaching full size in 20 to 50 years. Flowers bloom in summertime and are cream to yellowish-white, appearing in clusters at branch tips. Seedpods follow blooms. These trees are resilient, fix nitrogen, and have multi-season visual interest. All species in this genus grow in temperate, mixed forests and along riverbanks. Use these trees as ornamental or street trees, as specimens in the garden, or as screening in tight residential spaces.

maackia Species and Varietals

The genus Maackia is a member of the plant family Fabaceae and includes six species. Plants in this genus are related to those in Cladrastis (Yellowwood), Sophora (Pagoda Trees), Wisteria, and Robinia (Locust). The genus name honors the Russian naturalist and botanist Richard Maack. Maackia trees grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones 1-10 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Maackia amurensis (Amur Maackia, Amur Velvet Tree, Asian Yellowwood, Asiatic Yellow Wood)
This species, native to Manchuria, Korea and Russia, reaches 60 feet tall and wide, but tops out around 30 feet in most urban garden settings. It has a broad and rounded head and dark green leaves. Bark is bronze and peels off in curling flakes. Cultivars include 'Starburst' (dense, uniform vigorous trees), 'Summertime' (compact to 15-20 feet tall), and 'MaacNificent' (cold-hardy, to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide with silver spring foliage).

Maackia chinensis (Chinese Maackia, Chinese Yellowwood, Saddle Tree, 马鞍树)
This species of Maackia is native to China and reaches 20-30 feet tall and just as wide at maturity. It has a more shrubby habit than other Maackia species, and produces silvery green new foliage that matures to green. Flowers are fragrant and white.

Maackia taiwanensis (Taiwan Maackia, Taiwanese Maackia, Taiwan Ma'anshu, 台灣馬鞍樹)
This species forms a small tree that reaches up to 33 feet tall when mature. The canopy has about the same spread as the height of the tree. Foliage is green to dark green. These trees only inhabit a small area in northern Taiwan, and are considered to be endangered in their native range.

Caring for maackia

Choose a place in the landscape that receives direct sun each day for Maackia trees. They prefer to get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow well and flower profusely. These trees can tolerate some light shade, especially when young and in the warmest hours of the day if they are grown in hotter climates. Otherwise, full sun is best. These trees do best in temperate areas with mild winters and warm summers, and are hardy down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, though are not frost-tolerant when young. These trees prefer to be planted in well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. They are not picky about soil type, but will grow best in loamy or sandy soils that are rich in organic matter. Good drainage is key; if roots are allowed to stay in standing water for too long, the tree will suffer from root fungus issues. After installing trees, apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperatures. Water newly installed trees regularly so that they develop a strong root system. Mature trees are considered to be drought-tolerant, but still do benefit from consistent moisture during their active growing season in spring and summertime. Allow soil to dry out between waterings, but avoid allowing it to be dry for extended periods, as this will damage the tree. During winter months, reduce waterings.

These trees are not heavy feeders. An application of organic compost around the base of trees will be sufficient to supply nutrients for the growing and flowering season. If local soils are particularly poor or if the trees seem to be struggling (not flowering well or have yellowing leaves), they may benefit from a feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in springtime. Take care to not over-fertilize these trees, as it will result in increased foliage growth at the expense of flowering. Pruning Maackia is simple; in late winter or early springtime, remove dead, damaged, diseased or crossing branches. This will improve airflow through the canopy and maintain a good, strong structure. Maackia trees are slow-growing, and have a life span of between 50 and 150 years, and have long lives even in harsh urban settings.

Propagation

Maackia trees are best propagated via harvesting and sowing seed. To propagate your tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Maackia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Lyonothamnus plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Soak harvested seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before sowing to help improve germination rate.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.