Katsura

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$199.99
Title

Indulge your senses with the Katsura Tree, a landscape masterpiece known for its "magical" autumn transformation. This elegant tree features perfectly heart-shaped leaves that emerge in shimmering shades of reddish-bronze, maturing into a serene bluish-green through the summer. As the air cools, the canopy ignites in a breathtaking display of gold, apricot, and fiery orange. Most enchanting of all is the sweet, nostalgic fragrance the fallen leaves release—often described as the aroma of warm caramel, cotton candy, or toasted brown sugar.

Size

Size Guide

Visit Us

Delivery

Warranty

Plant Details

Mature Size:

50' H x 30-40' W

Zone:

4-8

Watering:

High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Katsura Tree, Katsura, Caramel Tree, Candyfloss Tree

Scientific Name:

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Type:

Ornamental Shade Tree

Growth Details:

Mature Size: Typically 40–60 feet tall with a spread of 25–60 feet in cultivation.

Growth Habit/Form: Pyramidal and upright when young, becoming broadly rounded and spreading with maturity.

Growth Rate: Medium to fast (can grow over 2 feet per year in optimal conditions).

Longevity: A long-lived species that can thrive for several decades.

Environmental Needs:

Exposure: Prefers full sun or light shade; benefits from a sheltered location away from strong, drying winds.

Soil Preferences: Thrives in rich, moist, and organically deep soils; highly prefers acidic soils for the best fall colour.

Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable to various pH levels (though less vibrant in alkaline soils) and can tolerate clay soil if drainage is adequate.

Watering: Must be kept evenly moist; provides supplemental watering during any dry spells to prevent leaf scorch or early leaf drop.

Special Features:

Fragrant Foliage: Fallen autumn leaves smell like burnt sugar or cotton candy.

Deer Resistance: Generally ignored by deer.

Award Winner: Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Pest Resistance: Remarkably free of serious insect or disease problems. [1, 2, 3]

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

Spring: New leaves emerge with a soft reddish-purple or bronze tint; tiny, inconspicuous red/green flowers appear before the foliage.

Summer: Dense, lush canopy of blue-green, heart-shaped leaves.

Fall: Spectacular transition to gold, orange, and apricot. Fallen leaves emit a distinct caramel scent.

Winter: Features a graceful silhouette and attractive, shaggy gray-brown bark on mature trunks.

Garden Value:

A premier specimen tree for larger landscapes, parks, and wide boulevards. Its refined texture and medium size make it an exceptional shade tree or focal point that offers multi-season interest. Its non-aggressive root system also makes it an excellent "under-garden" tree for shade-loving perennials like hostas.

Wildlife & Human Value:

Wildlife Value: Provides a dense nesting habitat for songbirds. While not a primary food source, it offers excellent cover.

Human Value: One of the most refined ornamental trees available, offering significant "sensory" value through its unique fragrance and year-round visual appeal.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

Best planted in the spring to allow roots to establish before winter. Ensure the site is sheltered from strong winds to protect the delicate foliage. Because it can grow quite large, it should not be planted directly under power lines or in very confined spaces.

Care:

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; protection from the harsh afternoon sun is recommended in hotter climates.

Moisture Requirements: High moisture needs; requires consistent, deep watering and must not be allowed to dry out completely.

Maintenance & Fertilization: Apply a balanced, granular fertilizer in early spring once established. Minimal pruning is required; if necessary, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Tolerances:

Clay soil, urban pollution, and air/soil salt

Tips For Success:

Wind Protection: Site in a location sheltered from prevailing winds to prevent "leaf tatter."

Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch annually to retain vital soil moisture and cool the roots.

Early Frost Care: Young leaves are sensitive to late spring frosts; site in a protected area to avoid tip damage.

Fruit Profile