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Trees

Cercidiphyllum magnificum

magnificent Katsura tree

A pyramidal to broadly conical deciduous tree with smooth bark and heart-shaped leaves which are slightly bronzed when young and turn butter yellow in autumn. Reddish male and greenish female, petalless flowers are borne on separate trees in early spring. Females may later produce woody, pod-like fruit

Synonyms

Cercidiphyllum japonicum var. magnificum

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cercidiphyllaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Cercidiphyllum are large deciduous trees with kidney-shaped to ovate leaves, often bronze when young, and colouring well in the autumn; flowers inconspicuous
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, preferably acid or neutral soil, in sun or dappled shade, protected from cold wind

Propagation

Propagate by seed, basal or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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