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Cercidiphyllaceae
Cercidiphyllaceae Distribution Cercidiphyllum family. Family with 1 genera and 1 or 2 species depending on the reference. Distributed only in China and Japan. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Katsuratree is a large, long-lived tree that is a preferred tree where space is adequate. Old large specimens are very impressive. Native to China and Japan. This tree has some unique morphological characteristics that suggest it is a primitive relic. The genus name is “kerkis” (Cercis) and phyllon (leaf) for the similarity between its leaf and a redbud (Cercis) leaf. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Growth habit - Form may be upright with a single trunk or broadly spreading with multiple trunks. Tree size – Plants can quickly reach 20 to 40 feet and may spread to 20 feet in width. Can reach over 100 feet tall. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Apparently, the two growth forms (upright or spreading) are related to whether the trees were derived from Japanese or Chinese populations. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree The Chinese form (C. japonicum var. sinensis) is taller growing more upright (60 to 100 feet tall) and usually has a single trunk. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree The Japanese growth form produces plants that are more spreading, under 60 feet tall, and usually with multiple trunks. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree This large specimen at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown shows the growth habit that some multi-stemmed katsuratrees have where they are wider than tall. The lower lateral branch was over 50 feet in length. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Large specimens of katsuratree can be fantastic. Pictured here is the magnificent tree at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia being visited on a student trip. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Flowers – Small apetalous male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Females occur in the leaf axils in sets of 3 to 5 carpels with red, fringed stigmas. Female flowers Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Flower – Male flowers emerge from short shoots. The stamens are purple-red and produced on slender filaments in large numbers from each flower. Male flowers Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Fruit – Fruits are small dehiscent follicles only produced on female plants. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Leaf – Leaves are ovate with a cordate base reminiscent to redbud (Cercis). Petioles are usually have a purple tinge. Secondary leaf veins follow the outer crenated edge of the leaf. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Leaf – Autumn color is a good yellow with some orange tints. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Leaf – In some years, autumn color can be very effective often starting reddish-orange and finishing with a bright yellow. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Buds – The reddish-purple pointed buds occur above a narrow leaf scar with three bundle traces. The young stems are dotted with round light colored lenticels. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Stems – The leaves are produced on short shoots (spurs) or long shoots. Long shoots are produced at the terminal (distal) ends of current season branches and produce only vegetative buds. Short shoots Short shoots develop along the interior of the branches and only consist of a single leaf and usually a flower bud. Long shoot Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Bark – The bark separates from the trunk of older stems in long sheets and can be attractive. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Culture: Full sun or partial shade. Katsura tree is tolerant of most soils, but it prefers rich, moist, welldrained and slightly alkaline soil. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Culture: It is sensitive to drought and needs supplemental water in dry seasons to avoid leaf scorch. This limits its usefulness as a street tree. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Culture: Katsuratree tends to leaf out early in the season and can be susceptible to late spring frosts. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Culture: Generally katsuratree is troublefree, but it is susceptible to sunscald, especially on newly plant trees. Newly transplanted trees should be wrapped along the trunk to avoid sunscald because of the exposed thin bark. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Culture: Katsuratree may also get cankers along the stem caused by Phomopsis or Dothiorella fungi. Newly plant or stressed trees are most susceptible to canker. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Pendulum’ encompasses several weeping types of katsuratree. They are broad weeping forms growing under 25 feet tall. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: The trunk on this ‘Pendulum’ selection appears to move in all directions under the weeping branches. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Amazing Grace’ is a selection of ‘Pendulum’ that was introduced by Kentucky nurseryman, Theodore Klein. It produces a graceful weeping plant. The plant pictured here is at the Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Amazing Grace’ is a wonderfully architectural plant in the landscape. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Morioka Weeping’ (formerly C. magnificum ‘Pendulum’) is more upright and less weeping than cultivars sold as C. japonica ‘Pendulum’. It also tends to have larger leaves. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Heronswood Globe’ is a slow-growing selection with a rounded form. Plants will grow about 15 feet tall. It could be considered for smaller landscapes where the species is too large. Cercidiphyllaceae Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsuratree Cultivars: ‘Red Fox’ (also ‘Rotfuchs’) produces new leaf growth in the spring that emerges dark purple. Leaves tend to turn to green during the summer.
