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 to 60 ft tall and 25 to 50 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Needs protected site.
medium water40 to 60 ft tall and 25 to 50 ft wide
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 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40 to 60 ft tall and 25 to 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
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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 to 60 ft tall and 25 to 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 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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.
