Hubble’s super cork
‘Hubble’s Super Cork’ is a Japanese maple sought after for its very corky bark (pinebark-type) that appears very early, quickly giving the tree an “old specimen” look. The foliage emerges green in spring (often with a fine reddish margin), stays green in summer, then colours orange to red in autumn. An ideal cultivar for bark enthusiasts and for bonsai.
Character & interest
The main appeal of ‘Hubble’s Super Cork’ is its bark: among rough-barked maples, it is often described as one of the most “corky”, and especially very early to develop corkiness (the effect can be visible on young plants). This makes it highly valued for achieving a mature look quickly, particularly in container culture and for bonsai training.
Colours
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Spring : green leaves, often with a subtle red margin.
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Summer : green.
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Autumn : orange, then orange-red / red.
Habit & vigour
Upright habit, moderate growth. The silhouette is generally easy to train as a small tree or in a container.
Indicative size
Order of magnitude: often given at around 2 to 3 m by 15 years (variable depending on conditions, in-ground vs container, and training).
Exposure
Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Rough-barked maples are typically grown avoiding very dry situations and drying winds.
Origin & history
‘Hubble’s Super Cork’ is presented as an introduction by Scott Hubble (Metro Maples nursery, Texas, USA), selected for its ability to produce very corky bark at an early age.
| Groupe MS | 12. Pinebark |
|---|---|
| Habit | Upright |
| Vigueur | Modérée |
| Taille 10 ans | Moyen (2-4m) |
| Forme de feuille | Palmate |
| Couleur Printemps | Green |
| Couleur Été | Green |
| Couleur Automne | Orange / Rouge |
| Bark | Très liégeuse |
| Exposure | Soleil / Mi-ombre |
| Size / Grade | C1, C1.5, C10, C2, C3, C5, C7.5, P9 |
