Common Name(s): Katsura Tree, Japanese Katsura, Katsuratree, Katsura-tree
Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Family: Hippocastanaceae (Horse Chestnut Family)
Species Description
Growth form: The Katsura tree is a large tree with a mature height ranging from 40 to 60 feet. Its many heart-shaped leaves not only provide a large variety of color through the seasons, but also make it a great source of shade.
Leaves, twigs, and bark: Leaves of a Katsura Tree are simple, opposite, and toothed, typically 2 to 4 inches long, with palmate venation and in the shape of a heart. In fall, leaves turn from yellow to a shade of apricot and from reddish-purple to blue-green in the Spring. Bark is typically light gray and slightly flaky.
Heart shaped, serrated leaves of a Katsura Tree. (Photo taken by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Katsura Tree #387 located in between Norwood Hall and Walker Hall. (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Flowers: Katsura Tree is a dioecious tree meaning that it has male and and female flowers on separate trees. Flowers are seen red on male trees and green on female trees. They appear in the Spring before the foliage and are not showy.
Dark gray to brown twigs of a Katsura Tree. (Photo taken by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Fruits: Fruits are small approximately 3/4 inch pods found on the female trees. The fruits are dry or hard and does not attract wildlife.
Tree #390 located outside of Russell Hall. (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Native range and habitat: Katsura Tree is native to China and Japan.
(Photo by Kacee L Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Plant Family: The Katsura Tree is a member of the family Cercidiphyllum, otherwise known as the Katsura Family.
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Wildlife: With no common serious pests, the Katsura tree does not have many issues with wildlife. The main interaction with wildlife is with insect pollinators.
Gardens and Landscaping: The Katsura Tree is typically used as a shade or street tree. It is used mostly in large parking lots and is convenient for these uses due to having no common serious pests. It has ornamental interest due to its Spring blossoms and fall color.
Campus Specimens - Katsura Trees
State and national champions? The largest Katsura recorded in the state of Virginia is located in Clarke, Va with a total tree score of 237. On a national level, the largest Katsura Tree has not been recorded yet.
At Radford University, There are a total of four Katsura Trees on Radford University's campus. Two are located side by side in between Norwood Hall and Walker Hall. The other two are also located side by side of the back entrance to Russell Hall (shown in image below).
Tree #387
Trunk circumference: 64.0 inches
Tree height: 54.0 feet
Crown spread: 28.1 feet x 28.0 feet Average = 28.05 feet
Total points: 125
(Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Tree #388
Trunk circumference: 63.0 inches
Tree height: 53.0 feet
Crown spread: 32.3 feet x 33.6 feet Average crown spread = 33.0 feet
Total points: 124.2
(Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Tree #389
Trunk circumference: 105 inches
Tree height: 116 feet
Crown spread: 104.0 feet x 103.0 feet Average crown spread = 103.5 feet
Total points: 246.9
Katsura Tree #389 located on the back entrance of Russell Hall. (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 4th, 2019.)
(Photo by Kacee L. Ferrell on October 24th, 2019.)
Tree #390
Katsura Tree #390 located on the back entrance of Russell Hall. (Photo by Hailey McArdle on October 24th, 2019.)
Trunk circumference: 86.0 inches
Tree height: 110 feet
Crown spread: 44.9 feet x 40.3 feet Average crown spread = 42.6 feet
Total points: 206.7
References
Elpel, T. J. (2018). Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, Edition 6.1. Hops Press, Pony, MT..