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Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Morioka Weeping'
(Katsura 'Morioka Weeping')

Family - Cercidiphyllaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - Introduced from Japan
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - 15m
Width - 5m

Description: A medium-sized Deciduous tree with a prominent central leader and graceful, weeping branches. The pendulous branches are covered in rounded to heart-shaped leaves that are shades of purple to bronze-red in spring and mature to dark green. Inconspicuous red male flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves emerge. The leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn. The foliage smells of candy floss or burnt sugar when crushed and the scent is most pronounced when the leaves are colouring and falling in autumn and the scent is carried on the air.

This weeping form was discovered in a forest in the Iwate Prefecture in Japan and brought to a temple near Morioka sometime between 1576 - 1635. This cultivar is often grouped into Cercidiphyllum japonicum f pendulum but does appear to be genetically distinct. The true 'Morioka Weeping' can be differentiated by the presence of a strong central leader that C. j. f pendulum lacks. (HortScience Publications - 'Systematic Relationship of Weeping Katsura Based on Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Sequences 37(3) 595-58 2002)

Synonym - Cercidiphyllum magnificum 'Pendulum'

Flower:

Dioecious. Small, red staminate flowers produced in March and April before the leaves emerge. This cultivar only produces male flowers.

Flower colour: Red

Flower shape: Petalless Flowers

Flowering time: March, April

Foliage:

Aromatic, rounded to Cordate leaves emerge in shades of purple to bronze-red in spring and mature to dark green. The leaves are held in opposite pairs along the slender, weeping branches. The foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn. The leaves smell of candy floss when crushed and the scent is strongest in autumn during leaf senescence.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Rounded to cordate

Autumn Colour: Yellow, orange, red

Propagation:

Cuttings.

Cultivation:

Best in full sun to partial shade in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. This tree will tolerate some lime, but will perform best when planted in acidic soil. The young foliage may be damaged in a late frost.