{"product_id":"eye-stopper-cork-tree","title":"Eye Stopper Cork Tree","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Tough, Seedless Shade Tree With Striking Corky Bark\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEye Stopper Cork Tree (\u003cem\u003ePhellodendron lavallei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Longenecker') is a handsome, broad-spreading shade tree grown for its deeply furrowed, ridged corky bark and bold winter silhouette — the feature that earns it its name. Glossy compound foliage casts cool summer shade and turns clear yellow in fall. Just as important, this is a \u003cem\u003eseedless\u003c\/em\u003e selection, so unlike older cork trees it won't drop messy fruit or spread where it isn't wanted — making it a refined, well-behaved choice for the modern landscape. Urban-tough and hardy to zone 4, it shrugs off difficult sites. Whether you're planting a broad shade tree in Edina, a winter-interest specimen in Woodbury, or a tough boulevard tree in St. Paul, Eye Stopper delivers year-round character with none of the fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEye Stopper Cork Tree Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePhellodendron lavallei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Longenecker' (Eye Stopper)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEye Stopper Cork Tree, Lavalle Cork Tree, Corktree\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–40 feet — broad, spreading crown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for best form and foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Drought-tolerant once established; appreciates consistent moisture while young.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly adaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, compacted urban soil, and dry sites.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply furrowed, ridged corky bark — a striking year-round and winter feature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — glossy compound leaves casting light shade, turning clear yellow in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — a seedless selection, so no messy fruit and no unwanted spread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood — generally not a preferred browse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEye Stopper Cork Tree Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBroad Shade Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a wide, spreading crown of glossy compound leaves, Eye Stopper makes an excellent medium-large shade tree for an open lawn or backyard in Edina or Plymouth — the kind of tree that cools a patio and anchors the landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWinter Bark and Year-Round Character\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deeply furrowed, corky bark and bold branching structure give this tree striking presence in winter, when its silhouette truly stands out. It's a four-season tree whose best feature shines brightest in the bare months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Clean Urban and Boulevard Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTolerant of compacted soil, drought, and urban stress, and seedless so it won't litter or spread, Eye Stopper is a clean, low-maintenance choice for boulevards and street-side plantings in Minneapolis and St. Paul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Eye Stopper Cork Tree in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCork tree is deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is excellent — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works well. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting when heat stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Eye Stopper Cork Tree\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade. Allow plenty of room for the broad 30–40 foot mature spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk, and wrap the young trunk the first winter or two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Eye Stopper Cork Tree in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Eye Stopper Cork Tree is notably drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Eye Stopper Cork Tree survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's hardy to about -30°F and well adapted to the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it seedless?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — this selection is seedless, so it produces no messy fruit and won't self-seed or spread, unlike older cork tree varieties. That makes it a responsible, low-maintenance landscape choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the best feature?\u003c\/strong\u003e The deeply furrowed, ridged corky bark — a true \"eye stopper\" that gives the tree bold structure and texture, especially striking against winter snow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a good shade tree?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its broad, spreading crown of compound leaves casts pleasant light-to-moderate shade, and it tolerates tough urban and dry sites with ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Hackberry\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bombproof native shade tree for tough urban sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bold-textured, urban-tough native shade tree with great winter form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, seedless shade tree with brilliant gold fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Catalpa\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bold, fast-growing native shade tree with dramatic foliage and flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Eye Stopper Cork Trees Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne. This is a broad specimen tree — as wide as it is tall — so give a single tree \u003cstrong\u003e30–40 feet of clearance\u003c\/strong\u003e from the house, driveway, and neighboring canopy trees. On a boulevard or long lot line, plant on \u003cstrong\u003e35–40 foot centers\u003c\/strong\u003e; most residential yards only have room for one, and one is all it takes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEye Stopper Cork Tree Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy compound leaves unfurl late spring on bold, spreading branches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide crown of lustrous dark-green foliage casts cool, light-to-moderate shade over patio or lawn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean, clear yellow fall color — and zero fruit drop, since this selection is seedless.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The namesake season — deeply furrowed, ridged corky bark and a muscular spreading silhouette that stops eyes against the snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/common-hackberry\"\u003eCommon Hackberry\u003c\/a\u003e — bombproof native shade tree with its own corky-ridged bark for a textural echo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kentucky-coffeetree\"\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/a\u003e — bold native giant whose winter architecture rivals the cork tree's.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-gold-ginkgo\"\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — another tough, seedless shade tree; its gold fall color lands at the same time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-catalpa\"\u003eNorthern Catalpa\u003c\/a\u003e — fast, dramatic native partner for large open lawns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Eye Stopper Cork Tree Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Eye Stopper if you have an \u003cstrong\u003eopen, sunny lawn or boulevard\u003c\/strong\u003e and want a clean, no-litter shade tree whose corky bark carries the yard through six bare months. It handles clay, drought, and urban stress easily. \u003cstrong\u003eNot a fit if\u003c\/strong\u003e your space is narrow — the crown spreads as wide as the tree is tall, so tight side yards and small front lawns can't hold it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB CORK","offer_id":54260812251441,"sku":"GT-T3170.6","price":425.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB CORK","offer_id":54260812284209,"sku":"GT-T3170.7","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/eye-stopper-cork-tree.jpg?v=1779426697","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/eye-stopper-cork-tree","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}