Cercidiphylum japonicum ‘Red Fox’

 

Plant of the Month September 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION: Cercidiphyllum - means redbud leaf. Katsura is the tree’s Japanese name. This cultivar was selected in Germany in the late 1970s.

Common Name: Red Fox Katsura tree, Foxtail Katsura tree, Japanese Judas Tree.

Life Cycle: Small fast growing columnar deciduous tree.

Height: to 12m.

Bloom Time: Small insignificant flowers in April, male before foliage opens, female just after in Southern Ontario. These are difficult to see.

Flower Colour & Size: Dioecious. Tiny flowers, male are red, female are green. My tree must be female as it produced a green-leafed seedling.

Scent: Caramel like, only from dying leaves.

Cercidiphylum japonicum ‘Red Fox’ - leaves - spring.

Leaves: Heart-shaped, round to oval leaves, up to 10cm long, deep purple in the spring with yellowish veining, then turning bluish green with apricot yellow in the fall. Dying leaves have a cinnamon like scent.

Cercidiphylum japonicum ‘Red Fox’ - leaves - summer.

Fruit: Winged flat seeds in woody, pod-like follicle, 2.5cm long. Seedlings may not have the parent’s colour or form.

Cercidiphylum japonicum ‘Red Fox’ - bark.

Bark: Shaggy grey-brown bark on older trees, with loose ends (exfoliating). Bark splitting may be a problem.

Range: Japan and China. This cultivar is of horticultural origin.

Habitat: The species found in moist mountainous forests.

CULTIVATION: 

Plant: where it can be enjoyed year round, with some protection from hottest sun and strong winds.

Light: Partial to full sun.

Soil: Rich, well drained soil. Leaf colour is better in more acidic soil. Tolerant of clay soils.

Water: Average.Needs extra water till established. Drought sensitive.

USDA Hardiness: Zones 4-8.

Pests and Diseases: None likely.

Companion planting: Best as a specimen tree.

Pollinators: Insects.

Propagation: Seedlings unlikely to have purple colouration.  Try cuttings in late spring.

Pruning: Best in late winter if needed.

References: 

https://iselinursery.com/companion-trees/cercidiphyllum-japonicum-red-fox/

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfinderdetails.aspx?taxonid=271129

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cercidiphyllum-japonicum/

https://www.worldplants.ca/display.php?id=6033

https://www.nvknurseries.com

Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener