ILLINOIS TREES: SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE 



73 



other products which must be exposed to water, soil, or 

 weather. 



the 



Katsura Tree 



Katsura tree (CercidiphijUum japonicum) , introduced into 

 the United States from Japan in 1865, is a pyramidal, 20- to 30- 

 foot-tall tree (Fig. 69), usually with several trunks and slender, 

 ascending branches which later become spreading. In Japan, it 

 may grow to a height of 100 feet. Although it may be used in 

 plantings throughout the state, it grows best in a deep, rich soil 

 that contains plenty of moisture. 



The round to somewhat heart-shaped, 2- to 4-inch-long, op- 

 posite leaves (Fig. 69 inset) are deep green above and silvery 

 green beneath, turning purplish-red and yellow in autumn. The 

 leaf stalks and veins may be red. The inconspicuous male and 

 female flowers, produced on separate trees, appear before the 

 leaves. The many-winged seeds are produced in "^-inch-long 

 pods that split open when mature. Katsura trees are relatively 

 free of diseases and insect pests in the United States. 



Fig. 69.— The small 

 katsura tree is rela- 

 tively free of dis- 

 eases and insect 

 pests in the United 

 States. The tree pic- 

 tured here was top- 

 pruned beneath 

 power lines. Its 

 round to somewhat 

 heart-shaped leaves 

 (inset) turn yellow 

 to purplish -red in 

 autumn. 



