Woody plants of eastern Asia's Amur River region

Many plants in the Arboretum originate and carry the name of this unique forest region.

The Amur river winds through Russia and China on its path to the Pacific Ocean in northeastern Asia. The region is home to many endemic plant species and this is reflected in scientific names such as "amurensis" and "maackii" (for Richard Maack, Russian explorer). The similarity of the Amur region's climate to the Prairie Provinces allows us to grow many of these plants in the Arboretum.

The Amur maple, with it's durability, red autumn foliage and miniature maple leaves has become a staple of prairie horticulture. Alternatively, the Amur cork tree, a Citrus Family species with unusual spongy bark, is usually seen only in collections.