Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. & Zucc., family Cercidiphyllaceae. Katsura Tree A deciduous tree, native to Japan and China, where it yields a valuable light timber. Grown for ornament throughout Europe but is sensitive to late spring frost. Height to 30m (100ft) in the wild often with several stems. Male and female flowers are on separate trees and open in April before the leaves unfold. Males have bunches of 15-20 red stamens about 0.8cm (1/3in) long, females have bunches of 3-5 twisted red styles about 0.6cm (¼in) long, elongating during the summer to form fruit pods 1.5-5cm (½-2in). Leaves are bright red at first, green through summer, then yellow, orange, red and purple in October. Zone 5.