Cercidiphyllum japonicum
The Katsura tree is a unique and beautiful specimen. It was introduced to the United States as an ornamental for its rounded foliage which turns bright yellow and orange in the fall. It is said its fall leaves are fragrant too. The tree has attractive purple-reddish flowers in the spring and cool green leaves in the summer. Its arrangement or general structure can be pyramidal or round. Overall, the tree can be quite aesthetic throughout the seasons.
The tree does not have a very extensive range, it has the potential to be grown in several places. It is present in just a few states, including Pennsylvania. It is not a species you find in forests, but rather on public grounds, in cities, or arboretums. The katsura tree’s ability to handle urban stress, besides drought, makes it a useful tree in urban canopies.
More specifically, the following qualities make the Katsura tree a candidate for climate-resilient canopies. Besides being drought intolerant, it can be grown on wet sites, preferably those that are well-draining. It can grow in various soil types, including clay and salty soils and alkaline to acidic soils. Another useful quality of this tree is that it can tolerate a wide variety of temperatures. It can occupy many hardiness zones (from 4 to 8). It can tolerate some shade but probably grows best in partial sun.
As we look to the future of our forests, we must reconcile that some endemic species may not survive in a warmer climate. Therefore, we need to consider growing and planting unconventional species to fill ecological and cultural niches left empty by species that may die out.
This infographic series was inspired in part by a presentation given by Jehane Samaha at the 2024 Canopy Conference at Haverford College, where she explored tree species that we may see more of in Pennsylvania as the climate warms. Katsura tree is just one example. For the two range maps, we utilized data from the Community Climate System Model, version 4.0 offered through the USDA Forest Service.
Resources:
Cercidiphyllum japonicum - plant finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j710
Gilman, E. F., & Watson, D. G. (1993). Cercidiphyllum japonicum Factsheet. U.S. Forest Service and USDA.
Katsura Tree. The Morton Arboretum.https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/katsura-tree/
Robby. (2024). Katsura Tree Pros and Cons: Should you grow this ornamental tree? Stone Post Gardens. https://stonepostgardens.com/katsura-tree-pros-and-cons/
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