Multi-stem Trees
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Katsura tree
Heart-shaped leaves that turn pink, gold and apricot in autumn, and smell of burnt sugar as they fall. Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a tree to enjoy with every sense.
Heart-shaped, blue-green leaves
Pink, apricot and gold autumn colour
Caramel scent from falling autumn leaves
Graceful, rounded habit
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Multi-stem tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Spring foliage, autumn colour and scent
Eventual size
Typically 8 to 12 m tall in time
Position
Full sun or partial shade, sheltered
Soil
Moist but well-drained, ideally neutral to acid
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes and forms. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
The katsura is famous for its autumn fragrance: as the leaves colour and fall, the air fills with a sweet scent of candyfloss and burnt sugar.
Its heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze in spring, turn blue-green in summer and finish in soft shades of pink, apricot and gold.
How to use it
Plant it near a path or seating area so you can enjoy the autumn scent, in a sheltered spot out of frost pockets.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring and keep well watered in dry spells, as it dislikes drought, especially when young.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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As the leaves change colour in autumn they release a compound that smells of burnt sugar or candyfloss.
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Yes, it does best in moist but well-drained soil and dislikes drying out.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we would love you to. Every multi-stem tree is individual, with its own branch structure and character, so we always encourage customers to choose by eye. Our largest specimens are held at our Row Town showroom in Surrey. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. If you can’t visit, we are happy to send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger specimens can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed. We will always agree the most suitable option with you before delivery.
All our multi-stem trees
Explore every tree in our multi-stem trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.