As Spring Unfolds, a Katsura Tree Unfurls Tiny Heart-Shaped Leaves That Make the Whole Garden Feel Softer and More Inviting.

Graceful Shape Without Overpowering The Garden

Katsura trees are naturally elegant, forming either a single‑stemmed tree with a rounded crown or a multi‑stemmed shape with a soft, upright outline. In UK gardens they’re usually grown as small to medium trees, often around 4–8m after many years, depending on soil and cultivar, though very old specimens can be larger. The branching is fine and layered, so even when the tree is bare in winter it has lovely structure. In many East Anglian gardens, where space is precious, a Cercidiphyllum makes an excellent focal point: substantial enough to anchor the design, but filtered and light enough to let sun and rain reach planting underneath.

  • Graceful Shape Without Overpowering The Garden
  • At Home In Moist, Humus‑Rich Soils
  • Heart‑Shaped Leaves And Glorious Autumn Colour

Katsura Trees at a Glance:

Common name: Katsura tree.

Latin name: Cercidiphyllum

Size in UK gardens: Often 4–8m tall and wide over time, depending on soil, climate and form; very old or ideal‑site trees can be larger, while some named cultivars stay more compact.

Best position: A sheltered spot in sun or light shade, with protection from strong, drying winds and hot afternoon scorch, especially in drier parts of East Anglia.

Soil: Deep, moisture‑retentive but well‑drained, humus‑rich soil, ideally neutral to slightly acidic; dislikes very dry, thin or strongly chalky ground.

Main interest: Fine heart‑shaped foliage, attractive branching, superb autumn colour and a gentle burnt‑sugar scent from fallen leaves in autumn.

Fragrance: Foliage itself is not strongly scented on the tree, but fallen autumn leaves can smell pleasantly of warm sugar or toffee on still days.

Hardiness: Generally fully hardy across most of the UK once established, as long as roots do not dry out; young leaves can be caught by late frosts or strong winds.

Care level: Moderate – straightforward if you can provide moist, humus‑rich soil, a bit of shelter and steady moisture, with minimal pruning.
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Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.

Katsura Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container‑grown trees, Cercidiphyllum can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged; autumn and early spring are usually easiest, giving roots time to settle before summer heat or winter cold.

Watering: Water regularly while establishing, especially in dry springs and summers or on lighter soils, so the rootball and surrounding ground stay evenly moist. Even once established, katsura trees dislike drought; during prolonged dry spells they benefit from occasional deep watering.

Feeding: In good, humus‑rich soil, a yearly mulch of compost or well‑rotted manure is usually enough. On poorer ground, a light application of a balanced fertiliser in early spring can help, but avoid heavy feeding that pushes very soft, sappy growth.

Pruning: Cercidiphyllum needs very little pruning beyond formative shaping and removal of dead, damaged or crossing branches. Major reshaping of larger trees is best left to professionals, but in most gardens a light hand once the framework is set is all that’s needed.

Winter: In the ground, established trees normally need no special winter protection beyond their mulch and a check that stakes and ties are sound. Container‑grown specimens may need a more sheltered spot to protect roots from repeated freezing and drying winds.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Cercidiphyllum japonicum f. pendulum

Cercidiphyllum japonicum magnificum

Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Rotfuchs'

Katsura is a refined, elegant tree with a neat outline and soft, rounded leaves that create a calm, layered canopy. In autumn it becomes something special, turning to warm honeyed tones with a gentle, sweet scent on the air. A superb specimen for adding poetry to the garden.

A weeping katsura with long, flowing branches that drape gracefully, creating a curtain of foliage and a romantic silhouette. The leaves give a soft, shimmering texture through summer, then turn rich autumn shades. A beautiful feature tree that feels like living sculpture.

A more robust, bolder-leaved katsura with a strong presence and a handsome, rounded outline. The foliage has a generous, almost luxuriant look, and the autumn display is warm and glowing. Ideal when you want katsura’s charm, but on a slightly grander scale.

‘Rotfuchs’ (Red Fox) earns its name with fiery, fox-red autumn colour that lights up the garden. The tree has a neat, upright habit and tidy foliage through summer, then finishes the season with a vivid warm finale. A superb small specimen with a real autumn punch.

Frequently Asked Questions

In a large park, a katsura tree can reach impressive proportions, but in an ordinary UK garden it’s usually a small to medium tree over many years, especially on heavier soils and in breezier sites. Many specimens in real gardens sit comfortably in the 4–8m range after a long period, and there are also more compact cultivars available. The key is to give it enough room not to be cramped against buildings or boundaries and to think of it as a main focal tree rather than something to squeeze into a tiny courtyard. For modest suburban plots, choosing a cultivar with a naturally smaller habit is often the best route.

Many gardeners do notice a warm, sugary, toffee‑apple scent around katsura trees in autumn, particularly on still, slightly damp days when leaves are colouring or have just fallen. The fragrance comes from compounds released as the leaves break down. It isn’t usually as strong as a rose or jasmine, and you won’t smell it on every day or in all weather conditions, but when it does drift across the garden it’s distinctive and rather charming. Standing under or beside the tree, especially where fallen leaves have collected, is the best way to catch it.

Cercidiphyllum is happiest in deep, moisture‑retentive, humus‑rich soils that are neutral to slightly acidic. It really dislikes drought and very free‑draining, shallow ground, and is not at its best on strongly chalky or alkaline soils, where growth may be weaker and leaves can show stress. On mild chalk you may get away with plenty of added organic matter and regular mulching, but in strongly limey conditions it’s generally better to choose a different tree that’s suited to the site. If you’re on heavier loam or clay that doesn’t dry out severely, a katsura tree can be an excellent choice.

Once established in the right place, Cercidiphyllum is a fairly low‑maintenance tree. It doesn’t need regular heavy pruning; in fact, it generally looks best if you do very little beyond removing dead, damaged or badly placed branches and perhaps lifting the canopy slightly as it matures. The main care tasks are good soil preparation at planting, steady watering in the first few years, and annual mulching to keep moisture and organic matter levels up. If you can offer those basics and a bit of shelter, the tree will largely look after itself, rewarding you with graceful structure and lovely autumn colour for many years.