Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a graceful, elegant, though variable
species of shade trees. Katsura Tree is characterized by blue-green foliage
and, in the best of specimens, a yellow to scarlet color in autumn.
Alternate common name: Katsuratree
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-medium-sized tree, up to 40-60' tall x 35-60' wide, but generally not much taller than 40'
-narrow when young, spreading with age
-branches droop as tree grows
-female trees spreading, males more upright
-symmetrical form either oval or pyramidal
-medium to fast rate of growth
-long-lived
-often multi-stemmed, but can be easily trained into a single trunk form |
Foliage
-heart-shaped, 2-4" long (similar to, but smaller than, Redbud, Cercis canadensis
-opposite arrangement (sometimes subopposite), neatly spaced in pairs
-margins with rounded teeth
-purplish when unfolding, then deep green (almost bluish) above, silvery green below
-petioles and veins sometimes reddish
-autumn color yellow to scarlet, but variable |
Flowers
-dioecious (male and female trees)
-not ornamental
-Mar.-Apr.
-flowers on old wood |
Fruit
-pod, 0.50-0.75" long
-not ornamental |
Twig
-reddish brown and slender
-swollen at the nodes
-buds are red and resemble a crab's pincer claws |
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Trunk
-showy
-grayish brown
-slightly shaggy |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-full sun to partial shade; probably performs best in light shade
-tolerant of a broad range of soil conditions but does best in moist soils
-does poorly in dry areas
-has a reputation for being difficult to transplant and slow to establish
-mostly free of pest and diseases
-moderate to rare availability, B&B |
Hardiness
-zones 5 to 8
Origin
-native to Japan, China
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-graceful form
-bluish foliage
-long-lived
-relatively trouble-free once established
Liabilities
-slow to establish and requires proper early management
-shallow rooted with some surface roots that interfere with lawn |
Function
-may be a street tree in suburban areas, not particularly tolerant of dry soils in more urban sites
-small lawn tree or near arge buildings
-shade tree
Texture
-medium texture overall in foliage and when bare
-moderate to high density |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-trees with bluish foliage such as some cultivars of Fagus sylvatica
-accent trees such as Cercis canadensis, Fagus sylvatica, Ostrya virginiana |