Katsura Tree Plant Care

Katsura Tree (Disanthus cercidifolius) belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family within the Disanthus genus. Katsura Tree is native to woodland habitats in China and Japan. Katsura Tree is also known as Redbud Tree, American Katsura, Katsura.

Katsura Tree displays a deciduous shrub, spreading habit growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Katsura Tree produces small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Katsura Tree every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Katsura Tree thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Disanthus cercidifolius tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Katsura Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Katsura Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Katsura Tree every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Katsura Tree can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Katsura Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Katsura Tree can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering.

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Katsura Tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.