Katsura Tree
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Family: Cercidiphyllaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.
Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 30
Where it is found
Grows in woodlands in Japan but in China it is mainly found in open situations in rich moist soils at 1600 - 2800 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Wood - light, soft, not strong, fine grained. It is a highly valued timber and is used for furniture, the interior finishes of buildings, boxes etc.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a moist woodland soil in a position free from spring frosts. Tolerates some lime but it is probably best in an acidic soil. Dislikes dry soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -20°c, but it prefers a continental climate and can be excited into premature growth in the mild maritime climate of Britain when the young growth is then very susceptible to frost damage. There is usually no lasting harm from this damage. Rarely more than a bush in much of Britain according to one report whilst another says that there are trees 18 metres tall in W. Britain. A fast growing tree, it tends to grow with a number of stems. Plants produce richer autumn colours when grown on acid soils, the fallen leaves smell like burnt toffee. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in a greenhouse in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in autumn. Takes 12 months. High percentage. Basal cuttings, 15cm long, taken from May to July. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist