Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Boyd's Dwarf'

Water

Katsura tree 'Boyd's Dwarf' enjoys consistent moisture and should be watered deeply once a week, providing 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time during the growing season. During the hotter months, watch the tree closely; if the leaves show signs of wilting or the ground feels dry to the touch, a supplemental watering may be necessary. In winter, reduce watering to match the decrease in the tree's growth and evaporation rates, but don't let the root ball dry out entirely. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases and instead focus water at the base of the tree to reach the root zone effectively.

Light

Katsura tree 'Boyd's Dwarf' prefers a location with full sun to part shade. It thrives best in spots that receive morning sunlight and are protected from the intense afternoon heat. However, in hotter climates, it benefits from light shade during the peak sun hours to prevent scorching of the delicate foliage.

Temperature

Katsura tree 'Boyd's Dwarf' can survive in a range of temperatures, but it grows best in areas where the average temperature is between 60°F to 75°F. It is hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, which means it can withstand minimum winter temperatures down to -20°F to -30°F. Avoid placing it in areas where temperatures can rise above 90°F for prolonged periods as high heat can cause stress to the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Katsura tree 'Boyd's Dwarf' is mostly aimed at maintaining its natural shape, removing any dead or damaged wood, and encouraging healthy growth. This variety typically requires less pruning due to its dwarf habit. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, but after the coldest weather has passed. Light pruning can also be done in summer if necessary to correct any unwanted growth.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

For Katsura Tree, a well-draining, moist soil mix is recommended with a pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.5. Incorporate organic matter like leaf mold or compost to enrich the soil.

Repotting

Katsura Trees, being larger landscape plants, usually don't require repotting. Instead, they are planted and may be transplanted as needed for landscaping purposes.

Humidity & Misting

Katsura Tree thrives with average to high humidity levels, but as outdoor plants, they adapt to the local humidity conditions naturally.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Katsura Tree is not suitable for indoor growing due to its size.

• Outdoor

  Plant in moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a Boyd's Dwarf Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Boyd's Dwarf') begins with seed germination, prompted by warmth and moisture in spring, after a necessary period of cold stratification. Emerging seedlings develop into juvenile plants characterized by rapid growth and the development of the plant's distinctive heart-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, it enters a more stable phase of annual growth, where it produces new foliage each spring, and its growth rate slows compared to the juvenile phase. During its reproductive phase, the Boyd's Dwarf Katsura Tree may produce small, inconspicuous flowers, although it is primarily grown for its foliage. As the tree ages, it attains its maximum dwarf size, which is smaller compared to the species' typical varieties, and displays graceful autumn colors of yellow, orange, and red before leaf fall. Finally, the tree reaches senescence, where growth slows significantly, and it may become more susceptible to environmental stresses or disease before eventually dying.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Boyd's Dwarf', commonly known as Katsura Tree, is typically propagated by grafting. This method involves taking a scion or a young shoot from a desirable parent plant and attaching it to a rootstock that has been cut to accommodate the scion. The grafting is usually done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. The cut should be made at a diagonal in the rootstock and the scion should be trimmed to match this angle, ensuring that the cambium layers (the growth tissue just under the bark) of both are aligned. The two pieces are then fitted together snugly and wrapped with grafting tape to hold them securely. This connection should be kept wrapped until the graft has taken, which may take a few weeks, but it is critical not to let the grafting tape girdle the growing stem. Grafting ensures that the specific growth habits and characteristics of 'Boyd's Dwarf' are reliably reproduced in the new trees.