119: Cercidiphyllum (Katsura Tree)

[Orion_metalhead]

Another new one. Havent played with the species yet but loved the root flare and trunk. I removed a couple dead stubs and covered with paste to get some rolling starting. Will fertilize and begin process of getting out of nursery pot next year. Is it safe to prune back now on these?

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[Kievnstavick]

Yes, now is an excellent time for deciduous pruning. If you are on top of the trimming, you can get 3-4 pruning sessions on this during the growing season. In general, (with my current knowledge of the species) it would be best practice to treat them like you would a Acer palmatum.

I am still learning about how to grow this species and build a quality stock, so I can't advise much outside of refinement techniques. I do know that they are pretty aggressive growers. They naturally want to form a broom/flame shape due to their branch structure and bud placement. You will still get trunk thickening when put into a bonsai pot at least according to the claims of a high level practioneer that I trust.

I should have plenty of stock to play with over the next couple of years to see how hard cut backs, resets, and trunk chops will work out for them. They have spectacular fall color and the dried leaves have a sweet smell to them when disturbed.

 

[Kievnstavick]

Here is the Fall color of my tree last year



This was the tree when I did my first repot of it a year prior. Going from the pot I bought it in and placing it into a smaller rounder pot.




This was what it looked like during the summer after I acquired it.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

@Kievnstavick a few questions:

1. Have you tried cuttings?
2. How much was your tree's roots reduced at repot?
3. Have you tried any wiring and how has the tree responded?
4. What soil mix do you have yours in?
5. Sun exposure: do you give partial shade during hottest months?

 

[vp999]

Now is a great time to prune back as they throw out long shoots everywhere, on mine, leaves will burn badly if giving too much sun.