Appearance

Growth form

In cultivation it commonly reaches 40–60 ft (12–18 m) and may grow with one trunk or several trunks.

Leaves

The round, heart-shaped leaves are 2–4 in (5–10 cm) long and grow opposite or nearly opposite each other. New leaves may be reddish purple, summer leaves are green, and fall color ranges from yellow to apricot and orange.

Flowers

Small spring flowers are easily missed; male flowers are reddish and appear before the leaves, while female flowers can appear as leaves open.

Fruit

Female trees produce clusters of small pods containing winged seeds.

Look-alikes

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• parks and arboretums
• large gardens

Range

Native to China and Japan, katsura is cultivated in the United States and has also been recorded outside cultivation in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It does poorly in dry soil and hot, exposed sites and is suited to USDA hardiness zones 4a–8b.

Behavior

Senses

Withering and fallen leaves may smell like burnt sugar, caramel, or ripe apples.

Life cycle

Reproduction

Male and female flowers usually grow on separate trees, and wind carries the pollen.

Growing it

Propagation

It can be grown from seed, and established trees may also send up shoots from the base.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

Garden selections include the weeping ‘Pendula’ and ‘Morioka Weeping’, compact ‘Heronswood Globe’, and purple-leaved ‘Red Fox’.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction