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Common Name: katsura tree
Type: Tree
Family: Amaranthaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: China
Garden Location: Cornelia Sunnen Backyard Garden
Height: 40 to 60 feet
Spread: 25 to 60 feet
Bloom Time: March to April
Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Description: Green to reddish-green
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Uses: Shade Tree
Culture
Best grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun, but has little tolerance for drought particularly when young. Best sited in a location protected from strong winds and hot afternoon sun.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Katsura tree is a deciduous, single or multi-trunked, understory tree with a dense, rounded habit. It typically matures to 40-60' in cultivation, but can reach 100' or more in the wild. It is grown for its beautiful shape and its attractive foliage. Round-oval leaves (to 4" long) resemble those of a small redbud (Cercis = redbud genus and phyllon= Greek for leaf). Leaves emerge reddish purple in spring, mature to medium green with a slight bluish tinge in summer and turn quality shades of gold, orange and red in fall. Although not aromatic, the fallen autumn leaves have been varyingly described as smelling of cinnamon, burnt sugar or ripe apples. Dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate trees). Tiny reddish flowers appear in spring but are not showy. Pollinated flowers on female trees are followed by clusters of greenish pods (to 3/4" long).
Plant of Merit
This medium-sized shade tree typically grows to 40 feet tall with a dense, pyramidal to spreading habit. It is most noted for its attractive heart-shaped leaves that resemble those of a small redbud. Leaves emerge reddish purple in spring, mature to medium green with a slight bluish tinge in summer and turn quality shades of gold, orange and red in autumn. Although not aromatic, the fallen autumn leaves emit aromas suggestive of cinnamon, burnt sugar and/or ripe apples.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may scorch in hot, dry and/or windy conditions.
Garden Uses
Small specimen shade tree or street tree.