Katsura Tree
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 25–50 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Needs protected site.
medium water40–60 ft tall and 25–50 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Mussita
- Photo 2: (c) Vojtěch Zavadil, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Daniel Cahen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Cahen
- Photo 4: no rights reserved, uploaded by Alan Weakley
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–60 ft tall and 25–50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Fall color
- Gold, orange
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Frequently asked questions
- Is Katsura Tree good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Katsura Tree is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Katsura Tree get?
- It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 25–50 ft wide.
- How much room does Katsura Tree need?
- Give Katsura Tree about 50 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Katsura Tree grow into?
- Katsura Tree typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Katsura Tree hardy on the Front Range?
- Katsura Tree is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Katsura Tree need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Katsura Tree grow?
- Katsura Tree is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Katsura Tree live?
- Katsura Tree has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Katsura Tree turn in fall?
- Katsura Tree turns gold and orange in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Katsura Tree native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Katsura Tree deer-resistant?
- Katsura Tree is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
