Cercidiphyllum spp.
Katsura tree
Overview
Cercidiphyllum spp. is a genus of two species of deciduous trees in the family Cercidiphyllaceae, native to China and Japan. C. japonicum, the katsura tree, is the larger, reaching 40 to 70 feet (12 to 21 m), sometimes more, with a broad, often multi-stemmed crown, while C. magnificum stays smaller. The rounded to heart-shaped leaves, 1.5 to 4 inches (4 to 10 cm) long, emerge bronze-purple, mature to blue-green, and turn yellow, apricot, and pink in autumn. As the autumn leaves fade they release a sweet scent likened to burnt sugar or cotton candy. Trees are dioecious, with separate male and female plants; the small flowers are petalless and open before the leaves in early spring, the males reddish and the females greenish. Female trees bear small pod-like fruits. The bark becomes shaggy and peeling with age. Plants grow naturally in moist mountain woodlands and along streams, and they need steady moisture, scorching at the leaf edges in dry, exposed sites. Growth is moderate to fast on good soil.
Native Range
Cercidiphyllum spp. is native to eastern Asia. C. japonicum grows in China and Japan, and C. magnificum is restricted to the mountains of central Japan, both in moist woodland and streamside habitats.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade and specimen tree in large gardens, parks, and streetside settings for its spring leaf colour, autumn tints, and the autumn scent. The multi-stemmed forms are used as large feature shrubs. It needs room for its broad mature crown.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread25' - 50'
Bloom Information
Small flowers open in early spring, around March to April, before the leaves expand. Lacking petals, the male flowers show as reddish tufts of stamens and the females as greenish styles on separate trees. Pollination is by wind, and female trees then form small curved pods that ripen by autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
reddish male, greenish female, petallessFoliage Description
bronze-purple young, blue-green maturing, yellow to apricot-pink in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Katsura grows in full sun to part shade in deep, moist, fertile, free-draining soil with a mildly acidic to neutral pH, about 5.5 to 7.0. Steady moisture matters, especially for young trees, as drought and dry wind scorch the leaf margins and can cause early leaf drop. Shelter from harsh afternoon sun in hot regions reduces this stress. The shallow roots are helped by a mulch that keeps the soil cool and damp. Trees build a strong shape with little training and have few serious pests or diseases. Late spring frosts can damage the early growth.Pruning
Little pruning is needed, as katsura forms a balanced crown on its own. Any shaping or removal of crossing and damaged branches is done in late winter while dormant. Multi-stemmed trees can be thinned to a single trunk when young if a single leader is wanted.Pruning Schedule
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winter