Pterocarya tonkinensis

RHS Plant Profile

Tonkin wingnut

Trees

A large, spreading, deciduous tree eventually reaching up to 30m tall with leaves to 18cm or more divided into 6-14 ovate to elliptic leaflets. Small, greenish-yellow, spring flowers in hanging racemes to 30cm long are followed by winged fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Juglandaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Pterocarya are tall deciduous trees with large pinnate leaves and tiny flowers in pendulous catkins, followed by spikes of winged fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China (Yunnan), Laos, Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers outdoors in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus