CERCIDIPHYLLUM japonicum. Katsura tree. Japan. An elegant large tree, sometimes seen in old landscapes in California but largely forgotten here. Left to its own devices, it has multiple trunks with upswept branches. The young stems are neatly lined by pairs of heart shaped 2” leaves, purplish red in new growth, deep bluish green above with lighter undersurface when mature. They turn to yellow, orange or scarlet before dropping in the fall. The flowers are small and lacking petals, but colorful—orange-red—appearing before the leaves in spring. Katsura is easily pruned and shaped, even sheared. It thrives in sun or light shade, in most soils, with moderate to regular summer watering. Hardy to 0^oF or below.