Pterocarya stenoptera
Chinese Wingnut
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
40-70' tall and wide. Can grow to over 100' in the wild. Plants will eventually sucker. Broad-spreading, rounded to vase-shaped. May be multi-trunked. Has an open crown. Medium rate of growth, sometimes fast. Lives about 200 years.
Native Range
Native to alpine forested areas and riverbanks in eastern and central China, where it grows in moist soil areas. Introduced into cultivation about 1860.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are monoecious, w/ male flowers in 5-7" greenish catkins, females in 20" structures resembling greenish catkins. Blooms in May-June, and are pollinated by wind. The fruit is a winged nutlet, w/ two distinct, 3/4" wings. The nutlet is rounded, w/ a horn on the top, green changing to brown, ripening in the fall (Sept/Oct/Nov), and borne on a narrow, 12-20" long hanging spike. Quite interesting in appearance.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Alternate, odd-pinnately compound, dark glossy green leaves are 10-16" long, w/ 11-21 (to 25) oblong/narrowly-oval leaflets, each finely toothed, 2-5" long, 1/3-2" wide. Leaflets attach to a winged, sparsely-toothed rachis. Fall foliage color is yellow-green… not outstanding. The leaves have insecticidal properties. Bark sometimes platy, but usually more furrowed; has gray ridges and brownish furrows in-between. Sometimes all gray. Rough bark with age.
Culture and Care
Needs full sun. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates clay, wind, drought, hard soil, soil compaction, acid or alkaline soil pH. This is the most cold-hardy species of the genus. Zone 6(5)-8. No serious insect or disease problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall. The tendency to sucker could limit its use in landscapes. Pterocarya means "winged nut". This tree is an important part of the natural ecosystem in China, and is also a shade tree. Used as a walnut grafting rootstock due to high resistance to Phytophthora root rot disease. Develops an extensive root system.
Suggested Uses
Makes a good specimen plant or shade tree in large areas, such as parks, arboretums, golf courses and school/college campuses.