Cercidiphyllum japonicum

• BOTANICAL NAME: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
• PRONUNCIATION: ser-si-di-FIL-um ja-PON-i-kum
• COMMON NAME: Katsura Tree
• FAMILY: Cercidiphyllaceae
• NATIVITY: China to Japan
• GROWTH HABIT: Dense, broadly oval, or upright oval; 40'-60' (100') tall. Juvenile trees with low-branched form. Rapid growth rate in youth.
• HARDINESS: Zone 4-8
• CULTURE: Full sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Shade tolerant. Water newly planted trees during hot, dry periods.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Attractive, formal specimen; shallow rooted. Difficult to transplant. May take several years to fully establish in the landscape.
• FOLIAGE: Opposite to subopposite, simple, 2"-4" long, heart- shaped with a finely crenate margin. New leaves reddish purple, change to blue-green in summer. Fall color varies from yellow to apricot-orange.
• BUDS: Reddish, 1/10"-1/8" long, terminal absent.
• BARK: Brown, shaggy with age.
• FRUIT: Green, upright follicle about 3/4" long. Dioecious tree.
• PROPAGATION: Seed.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS: 'Pendula' - Mound of gracefully weeping branches 15'-25'.
• RELATED SPECIES:
  • C. magnificum 'Pendula' Similar to C. J. "Pendula' but growing to approximately to' high with a distinct weeping habit whereas C. j 'Pendula' requires staking to reach 10'