Cercidiphyllum Japonicum (Katsura Tree)

The Katsura Tree was introduced from the Far East in the early 1880s and won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Often thought of as a small ornamental tree I stumbled across one in Rutland a few years ago that must have been over 20 metres tall.

It is best grown away from frost pockets or exposed windy sites as new foliage can scorch before they harden.

Sometimes mistaken for Cercis siliquastrum, this has smaller leaves.

It is sensational both in spring with emerging coppery green leaves and autumn when the foliage turns yellow or pink whilst exuding a fragrant scent reminiscent of burnt sugar.

Many people refer to it as the ‘candyfloss’ tree for this reason.

A great choice for gardens and parks, doing best on deep, fertile soils.

We grow it as either a multi stemmed tree or as a single stemmed standard.

Mature height: 15-20m