Thank you again to Douglas Justice for both today’s photograph and accompanying written entry. – Daniel.
This year the katsuras are colouring well. Cercidiphyllum japonicum is not well known for autumn finery in Vancouver, I suppose because our typical dry summer weather usually causes much early leaf drop. Either that, or when plants are shaded, the rich green colour slowly drains out of the leaves until they’re an insipid, anonymous straw-yellow. However, when the fates conspire and the colours emerge, katsuras are like fireballs: all saturated red, pink, orange and blackening maroon, like a simmering furnace of molten metals and slag.
My father planted a katsura at home along the back fence when I was a few years old. As far as I can remember it was always there, and I can only recall a few times when we had the kind of brilliant display we’re witnessing this year. But regardless of the depth of its autumn tints, I always considered the species impressive. I love its rough, ascending trunks and perfect, rounded leaves with their regimented, two-by-two placement along its wire-like branches. I love the exuberance of its growth, opportunistically sprouting new shoots everywhere when conditions are ideal (katsuras prefer cool temperatures and revel in summer moisture). I even love the tiny ephemeral flowers; these are arranged along the mature leafless branches in spring and look like little rubies when the light catches them sideways.
Most of all, however, I love the smell of the senescing leaves. For some reason, as the leaves of Cercidiphyllum start to break down, they become intensely aromatic. Some say the aroma is like candy-floss or strawberries. Lately, the distinctive burnt sugar fragrance suggests crème brûlée to me (perhaps I’m not getting enough expensive desserts to eat). To be honest, it really reminds me of raking katsura leaves in my childhood, an activity I eagerly anticipated and never saw as a chore — which goes to show that my dad is smarter than I thought.
to Douglas Justice: Are you a writer? I’d love to read more!
How beautifully said! You painted wonderful images with your words. I can just see the splendor of those same leaves, backlit by the sun! Carol
our parents are smarter then we realized when we were kids. we look back and laugh at the jobs they got us to enjoy doing. I love the smell of popular leaves. my mom loves the smell of damp earth. I went to the Denver botanical garden yesterday and it smelled so wonderful. the different areas had different smells. just growing smells. the smells of life.
autumn memories
I have mine from liveing in new jersey
home state then in new england driveing
to the country for apples and bitter sweet
and dried flowers i called jack o lanterns
arches of golden leaves and the hills and
valleys in a riot of color -and our ancestors
and memories walking the path with us
and piles of leaves to jump in
thank you for a lovely memory
We pass a now almost leafless katsura on our daily walk. And we deliberately sniff the air to take in its lovely fragrance. That’s because we were initially stopped in our tracks by the aroma. One day as a little boy and his mum were passing the tree, he uttered, “Smoke!” My husband and I were able to point out the tree as the source of the sweet cigarlike scent; thus the katsura gained two more admirers.
I too wait for the caramel- scented leaves to develop after a hard frost on my Katsura ……. In southern Ontario , where I live my Katsura is still vibrant green and full of leaves . Its also much hardier than the books say ( mine has routinely taken -30c and has no winterkill at all ) – its about 30 feet tall after 10 years !
I am so pleased to see these wonderful Photographs. I have never seen a tree with leaves like this. I really appreicate the story of this tree. Thank you , I have learned so much today because of your thoughtfulness.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
So that’s what those beautiful trees are. Thank you for the photo and the info!
Have always admired these trees and planted one this Spring. When we planted it (bare-root) the leafless branches formed a wine-glass shape. Now we are enjoying the beautiful autumn show! Thank you for your story, Daniel ~
Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Z5 – RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Z4-8 – A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Cercidiphyllum japonicum – May be grown in any deep, fertile soil – Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 2003
Cercidiphyllum – From Cercis q.v. and Gk. phyllon [a leaf] , the leaves resemble those of Cercis Dictionary of Plant Names, Coombes
Hi,
I have established a garden with over 400 species of trees & shrubs here beside the LaHave River in Nova Scotia.These come from as far away as the Florida Panhandle and Labrador.One of my favourite trees is Cercidiphyllum japonicum.
I call it my candy apple tree due to the delightful fragrance it excude as its leaves fall in the autumn.
Happy gardening!
Ray Fielding