Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Katsura tree is native to China and Japan, and thanks to its versatility it has found many fans among both professionals and general gardening public. It is a large deciduous shrub or very rarely a tree (uneasy to train it into a tree with one central leader). Its leaves emerge pale bronze and quickly turn soft green in late spring and summer. They are heart-shaped, mid-sized- about 10-11 cm across, and change to spectacular shades of yellow and scarlet red in autumn. Fallen leaves are commonly left under the canopy as they release a lovely perfume of sweet candyfloss.

It grows very fast and forms quite a regular, broadly conical or pyramidal shape without pruning. It is a long-lived tree. It may be pruned to be kept smaller. Grow katsura tree in humus-rich, evenly moist but well-drained, acid or neutral soil, preferably in full sun. If placed in a position sheltered from strong winds it will keep its coloured autumn foliage remarkably longer (just like witch hazel). Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 28-02-2014