Habitat

• large forest tree of Japan and China
• hardy to zone 4

Habit and Form

• large deciduous tree
• 40-60 ft. tall
• 20-30 ft. wide
• some trees pyramidal, others wide spreading
• dense crown
• coarse winter texture

Summer Foliage

• simple opposite leaves
• broad ovate rounded leaves
• cordate leaf base
• crenate margins
• leaves resemble redbud (Cercis)
• leaves emerge purple, mature to bluish green

Autumn Foliage

• outstanding display
• yellow to apricot fall color
• colors early in season
• autumn leaves give off spicy, brown sugar odor

Flowers

• open before leaves in March-April
• green and not showy
• dioecious

Fruit

• small pods borne 2-4 on stalk
• pods release thin winged seeds

Bark

• brown
• shaggy and peeling on old trunks

Culture

• not easy to transplant
• rich moist well-drained soil
• pH adaptable
• water during dry periods

Landscape Use

• specimen for parks, large lawns and golf courses
• can be used as a street tree

Liabilities

• require water during establishment, dry periods
• size limits use to large spaces
• not easy to transplant

ID Features

• opposite, rounded leaves like redbud
• small pods with winged seeds
• sweet smell as leaves color in fall
• small reddish opposite buds, appressed
• brown shaggy pealing bark

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Aureum' - The leaves mature to yellow after emerging purplish/green.

'Heronswood Globe' - An unusual dwarf form with a tight, globular habit to 15' tall. Good for smaller gardens.

'Pendula' - A weeping form, with graceful pendulous branches. The plant reaches 15' to 25' tall. 'Tidal Wave' and 'Amazing Grace' are other weepings forms, some with a more strongly weeping habit.

'Ruby' - A more dwarf form, only reaching perhaps 30' tall, with leaves suffused with a bluish-purple hue.