Katsura Tree

This beautiful tree is the sole representative of a complete botanical family Cercidiphyllaceae. On a fertile sheltered lowland site trees over 15 metres tall may be expected in around 80 years. Specimens often produce several trunks, especially if exposed to ground frost when young. There is something of interest all year round on this tree. In winter numerous bright red flowers occur, male and female on separate plants. Later the rounded heart shaped bronze-red leaves emerge. During the following month they turn to yellow and then pea-green, and attain full size (7.5cm). In the autumn the foliage colour changes again to dusty-pink and creamy-yellow. It also produces an elusive smell sometimes described as burnt sugar or caramel which can be picked up on a calm day some distance away. Strangely though at close quarters, the leaves do not smell. This species is most effective as a small group (which increases the chances of having male and female trees together) within an existing autumn colour feature. They respond favourably to side shelter, and compliment other more brightly coloured foliage. Originally from Japan and parts of eastern China this tree was introduced to Britain in 1881. It had arrived in America 16 years earlier, collected by Thomas Hogg who was a US customs officer. Katsura once flourished in much of the world before the Pleistocene glaciations which reduced it to a relatively tiny population in Japan and the intervening region of eastern China.

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