Japanese Katsura Tree | Heart Shaped Foliage Shade Tree

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Japanese Katsura Tree

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Exquisite Heart-Shaped Foliage • Sweet Caramel Fall Scent • Slow-Growing Specimen

$189.00

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Description

The Japanese Katsura Tree is a tree of exquisite beauty and subtle charm, offering a captivating display in every season. From its heart-shaped, purple-tinged spring leaves to its brilliant golden-yellow fall color and unique sweet, caramel-like fragrance, it is a sophisticated and slow-growing specimen that brings a sense of serene majesty to spacious landscapes.

Renowned for its spectacular, heart-shaped leaves that emerge with a beautiful purple-bronze tint in spring, mature to blue-green, and turn a stunning apricot-yellow to scarlet in fall.
Produces a delightful, unique fragrance in autumn, often described as burnt sugar, cotton candy, or cinnamon, which perfumes the air around the tree as the leaves fall.
Develops a graceful, pyramidal to rounded form with a strong, central leader, becoming a well-structured, medium to large shade tree over time.
Prefers consistent moisture and protection from hot, dry winds; performs best in the Bay Area with regular deep watering and some afternoon shade in hotter inland locations.
Its slow growth rate and refined beauty make it a prized, long-term investment for a discerning gardener.

Quick Facts

Processed facts

Light: Full sun to partial shade

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Features:Foliage: Heart-shaped leaves (2-4") with red-purple spring color, maturing to blue-green, turning vibrant apricot-orange in fall.Fragrance: Fall leaves emit caramel/cotton candy scent when decomposing.Bark: Shaggy gray-brown exfoliating strips.Form: Pyramidal when young, developing broad crown
Mature Size:Height: 40-60 ft.Width: 25-50 ft
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Key Advantages:Spectacular four-season interest.Pest and disease resistant.Tolerates urban conditions.Excellent shade tree
Landscape Uses:Premium specimen tree.Asian-inspired gardens.Park or campus planting.Waterside feature

Faqs

Q: What conditions does it need to thrive in our climate?
A: It prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil. In the Bay Area, it will be happiest in Sunset zones 14-17 (coastal and inland coastal valleys) with supplemental summer water. In hot inland valleys, it requires shade, ample water, and may struggle.

Q: Is the fall fragrance always noticeable?
A: The intensity of the scent can vary with weather conditions (often strongest on warm, sunny days after a cool night) and the individual tree. Not everyone perceives it strongly, but when present, it is a magical feature.

Q: How slow is “slow-growing”?
A: Expect 1-2 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions. It is a tree to plant for future generations, not for quick shade. Its beauty and form make the wait worthwhile.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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