Weeping Katsura

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

 

Overview

The Weeping Katsura is a beautiful, elegant tree with drooping branches that can be as tall and as wide as 25 feet. In the spring, it's heart-shaped leaves start as a red/purple color, turn green into the summer, and become vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the summer. A unique aspect of the Weeping Katsura is the sweet fragrance of it's leaves, often described to be similar to cotton candy or caramel. 

Cultivation

The Weeping Katsura can thrive in environments with partial shade to full sun, but generally do best without harsh sun exposure and can withstand a range of temperatures. The perfect soil for this tree is moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic. It does not require a lot of maintenance as they are considered to be disease-resistant and hardy.

Biodiversity Sustained

The lush canopy of the Weeping Katsura can provide habitats for animals from birds and insects to small mammals. The tree's foliage acts as a food source for caterpillars and other herbivorous insects. As the tree drops its leaves in the fall, they decompose and enrich surrounding soil to the benefit of microbial communities and soil-dwelling organisms. 

On Xavier's Campus, over the Next Decade, this Tree will:

Stormwater Runoff Intercepted: 4045-20,015 gallons

CO2 Reduction: 1,052-3,220 lbs

Electricity Savings: 500-1,519 kilowatt/hours

Environmental Benefits (in US dollars) Over the Next Decade: $212-$400