Japanese Judas Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Cercidiphyllum is a genus containing two species of plants, both commonly called Katsura. They are the only members of the family Cercidiphyllaceae. The genus is native to Japan and China, and it is one of the largest hardwoods in Asia. Katsura is the Japanese name for the tree.

It is a medium-size deciduous tree that has a full, dense, pyramidal habit when young and great variability with age including low stiff arching branches.  In cultivation, it will reach heights of up to 60' tall, while in the wild the height can be up to 100'.  

Male flowers will appear before the leaves emerge, while the female flowers will usually bloom as the foliage expands.  However, the flowers are insignificant, this tree is grown for its foliage.  The young leaves are a red/purple, maturing to green with a slight bluish tint.  Come fall, shades of red, gold and orange will add color to the landscape.  It's said that when grown in more acidic soils, the fall color will be more showy.   Along with the fall color, the fallen leaves give off the scent of cinnamon, ripened apples or burnt sugar.  

The bark is shaggy on old trunks, with loose ends. Members of the Cercidiphyllum genus produce spurs along its twigs. These are short stems with closely spaced leaves.  The tree flowers in March or April and produces winged seeds. Several different cultivars are grown, including 'Aureum', 'Heronswood Globe', 'Pendula', and 'Ruby'.

Plant this tree in the full sun in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil, while protecting it from strong wind and the hot afternoon sun.  It requires ample water for establishment.  New leaves are reddish purple, mature to green and then the leaves turn apricot yellow in the fall before falling off.  The decaying fall leaves smell like caramel/burnt sugar or cotton candy.  The scientific name Cercidiphyllum refers to the close resemblance of the leaves to those of Cercis (redbuds) but these two unrelated genera can be distinguished easily as redbud leaves are alternate, not opposite.  It is great for large spaces like parks, golf courses, commercial sites or as a street tree;

Quick ID Hints:

• Tree, fall foliage fragrant, apricot-yellow
• Leaves opposite or alternate, heart-shaped

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insects or disease problems.  Drought and wind can stress this tree, causing the foliage to scorch. 

It has poor leaf color in alkaline soils. 

It can be difficult to transplant.    

Bark splitting is an issue.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.