Scientific Name
Prunus maackii ‘Amur Chokecherry’
Amur chokecherry, like the Amur maple (Acer ginnala), is native to the Amur River region where China, Korea and Russia share borders. This small tree ordinarily grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet. Given its geographic origin, it is no surprise that it can tolerate temperatures lower than minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, though it likely does not perform well in climates warmer than this region.
It grows well in full sun, but because of Colorado’s hot summer weather, the three trees at Regis are favorably situated with ample midday shade. The largest of these trees is the No. 1 Colorado champion of the species, with a height of 19 feet and a trunk diameter of 12.5 inches.
Amur chokecherry is best known for its glossy, smooth, copper colored exfoliating bark, which eventually becomes fissured and dark gray brown. Because these older trees have fissured bark on their lower trunks, visitors will need to look at younger branches higher in the canopy to see the colorful smooth bark. In mid spring, the tree produces clusters of white flowers that give way to small black cherries about ¼ inch in diameter.
This tree was first brought to the attention of Western horticulture by Richard Otto Karlovich Maack, a Russian naturalist and plant explorer who served for 11 years as superintendent of all schools in northern Siberia. He is also the namesake of the genus Maackia.