PL. —Cercidiphyllum magnificumBotanical illustration — drop image
Cercidiphyllum magnificum

Weeping Katsura Tree

SpringSummerFall
4a8aHardiness zone
Background

Native to the island of Honshu, Japan, this weeping form of the katsura tree cascades gracefully from a central leader, its branches sweeping toward the ground under a canopy of heart-shaped leaves that emerge reddish-purple in spring, mature to blue-green through summer, and turn a spectacular blend of yellow, orange, and apricot in fall — often with a caramel-like fragrance as leaves drop. Small, inconspicuous red flowers appear before the leaves and aren't a display feature.

It's shallow-rooted and drought-sensitive, so a layer of mulch to keep the root zone cool and moist matters more than for most ornamental trees, and it wants consistent watering during dry spells rather than occasional deep soaking. Otherwise it's low-maintenance and largely free of serious pests or disease.

Care guide
SunFull sun to part shade
WaterModerate; consistent moisture, shallow-rooted
SoilRich, moist, well-drained
Spacing15–20 ft
Height20–30 ft
Zone4a – 8a
Seasonal tasks
spring
watchRenew mulch over the shallow root zone to keep soil cool and conserve moisture.
watchEnjoy heart-shaped leaves emerging reddish-purple before settling to blue-green.
summer
watchWater deeply during extended dry spells; this shallow-rooted tree is drought-sensitive.
fall
watchEnjoy fall foliage turning yellow, orange, and apricot, often with a caramel-like fragrance.