 A
noteworthy peculiarity of this tree is that the leaves, when
freshly shed, give out a small of freshly baked cakes, as if they
had just been taken out of the oven. I've also read the tree
smells of burnt toffee. Alas I have yet got to make my acquaintance
with a Katsura myself, but I've been told that the smell makes it possible for a
human nose to locate the tree even in dense growth.
(I received an email from Diana O'Reardon, a London City and St
Paul's Guide, to say that we can find a Katsura in St Paul's
Cathedral churchyard - N.E. corner, by Paul's Cross. Thanks
Diana!! - June 2005)
Name:
The scientific name derives from 'Cercis' (judas tree
genus) and 'phyllum' (the Greek word for leaf) and thus alludes to
the resemblance between the leaves of the Judas tree and the
Katsura.  Cultivation:
Propagation is by seed at the end of the winter or by soft
wood cuttings or layering in the summer.
This is a reasonably hardy tree, which will both grow in Sun or
semi-shade, tolerates dry conditions and chalk, although I've
heard that its amazing Autumn colours cannot be completely relied
upon in complete alkaline or dry conditions. Has anyone any info
on this? In its native lands the Katsura can reach 30 meters (100
feet), but here the emerging shoots are often killed of by cold
winds and spring frosts. The tree survives this, but ends up
resembling a shrub. The ideal conditions for this tree would be on
a deep moist soil, away from frost and winds. It will repay this
care with stunning autumn displays and could grow 40 ft in 20
years.
Uses:
The timber is light, fine-grained and yellow in colour. In its
native Japan and China this is used for furniture and other
interior woodwork.
Note from webmother to
page visitors:
Many of these pages are still bare bones. Whenever time allows, we
will continue to add information to the Tree Gallery until all the
trees have descriptions of their habitat, characteristics,
cultivation, uses and anything else of interest. Why not get involved with enhancing this web resource by sending
photographs of trees, bark, details of branches, leaves, flowers, seed
and fruit in all seasons (Good use of all these new digital cameras!). Email us if you
are keen to know more about a particular tree and we will do our
best to complete that one next.
Page last updated:
28 June 2005
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