Katsuratree                ser-si-di-FIL-um ja-PON-i-kum

• Broadleaf deciduous tree, 40-60(100) ft [12-18(30) m] high, pyramidal when young.  Leaves simple, opposite or subopposite and occasionally alternate, purplish when unfolding, then finally bluish-green, are rounded, heart-shaped (resembling Cercis canadensis), 5-10 cm long, neatly spaced in pairs along arching branches.  Supposedly develops a "soft apricot-orange color" in fall, but not spectacular in Corvallis.   Dioecious, i.e., male and female plants.  Male and female flowers appear before leaves, neither is showy.  Fruit (pod) 2.5 cm long.
• Sun, but probably best in light shade.  Grows best in moist well-drained soil, pH adaptable, but supposedly has better fall color in acid soils, needs supplemental watering. Bark splitting and sun scald may occur.  In Corvallis, we frequently observe deformed young leaves for a period in the spring, frost is suspected.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native to China and Japan.
• Cercidiphyllum: refers to the similarity of its leaves (phyllum) with those of Cercis.    japonicum: of Japan.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: two in front of Shepard Hall, (note growth difference, presumably from seedlings).