Scientific Name
Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Katsura Tree’
The katsura tree is a treasured small ornamental wherever it can be grown, and with some care and a bit of luck, it can succeed here. Native to Japan and China, it has heart-shaped leaves, sometimes nearly circular, that resemble those of the more familiar eastern redbud.
In cultivation, katsura trees rarely exceed 50 feet in height, though they can grow larger in their native habitat. Here, it would be unusual for one to surpass 30 feet, though the Colorado champion in Fort Collins has reached 42 feet; the runner-up is just 26 feet tall. Many horticulturists note that this tree dislikes extremes. It does not tolerate air that is too dry or too humid, soil that is too acidic or too alkaline, or either too much or too little water. Finding that balance can be challenging in our climate.
Regis previously had two katsura trees in an area later affected by building expansion. One had already been damaged and was removed, while the other was transplanted but failed to reestablish, a common issue with this species. A newer specimen has since been planted on the north side of the Residence Village.
Katsura trees are either male or female, though their flowers and fruit are not especially showy. The foliage is the main attraction. Leaves emerge reddish purple in spring, mature to a bluish green in summer and then turn shades of yellow, apricot and orange in the fall. At that time, they also give off a distinctive burnt-sugar fragrance that can sometimes be noticed from a distance.