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Big City, Big Trees
7. Flatbush Avenue Entrace Area
Lavalle's Cork Tree (Phellodendron lavallei)
| Native Habitat: | Japan |
Photo: Dr. Jinshuang Ma.
Lavalle's cork tree is so-called for its corklike bark, but it is not the source of wine corks or bulletin boards. Phellodendron trees have two layers of bark—the "corky" yellow inner layer and the gray outer "true" bark. Members of the rue family (Rutaceae), they are related to the Citrus genus: lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines. The fruits of the Japanese native Lavalle's cork tree, however, are not good for eating—and they smell like turpentine!
Notable Neighbors:
- 7A. Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
- 7B. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- 7C. Lavalle's cork tree (Phellodendron lavallei)
- 7D. Pin oak grove (Quercus palustris)