Cercidiphyllum japonicum katsura tree

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