Botanical name

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Common name(s)

Katsura tree

Family

Cercidiphyllaceae

Native range

Japan, China

Growth Height

40 to 60 feet

Bloom time

March to April

Historical and interesting facts

This is the only species in the Katsura family (Cercidiphyllaceae). While the Katsura tree is native to Japan and China, it is related to an extinct species of Cercidiphyllum that lived in North America more than ten thousand years ago. The Katsura tree was introduced to North America in 1865 by an American consul to Japan who sent the seeds to his horticulturalist father in New York. Today, katsura trees are often seen in cities and parks due to its spectacular display of color in the fall.

These fact sheets and the tree labels were assembled by UFI intern Amanda Williams, and funding for the project was provided through a UK Student Sustainability Council grant.