🌸 Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Red Fox’ – Red Fox Katsura

🔎 Identification

Scientific name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Red Fox’

Synonym: Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Rotfuchs’.

Family: Cercidiphyllaceae.

Common names: Red Fox katsura, purple katsura, caramel tree.

Species origin: Japan and China.

Cultivar origin: Germany, selected by Karl Fuchs in 1977.

Type: Deciduous ornamental tree.

Special feature: Sought after for reddish-purple to bronze foliage, a narrow habit and fall colours.

🌿 Botanical description

Habit: Columnar to narrowly oval, upright and relatively dense.

Height: About 6 to 10 m in cultivation, potentially more with age.

Spread: About 4 to 6 m at maturity, depending on conditions.

Growth: Moderate, about 30 to 40 cm per year in good conditions.

Trunk: Straight, with dense branching.

Branches: Upright, creating a narrow silhouette when young.

Leaves:

• Rounded to cordate (heart-shaped).

• About 4 to 10 cm long.

• Relatively thick, matte texture.

• Reddish purple to burgundy at bud break.

• Dark purple and bronze in spring.

• Gradually turn bluish green to bronze-green in summer.

• Orange, yellow and sometimes reddish in fall.

Bark: Greyish, relatively smooth on young trees, then fissuring and exfoliating with age.

🌸 Flowering

Period: March to April or April to May, depending on the climate.

Flowers:

• Very small and inconspicuous.

• Male flowers reddish.

• Female flowers greenish.

• Appear before or as foliage develops.

Special feature: Katsura is dioecious: male and female flowers are generally on separate trees.

Flowering is not showy; ornamental foliage is its main attraction.

🍂 Foliage and fall fragrance

Distinctive feature: Like other katsuras, ‘Red Fox’ has foliage that releases a sweet, spicy scent in fall.

Fall colours:

• Coppery orange.

• Golden yellow.

• Bronze.

• Sometimes reddish shades.

Fragrance: Reminiscent of caramel, cinnamon, burnt sugar or cotton candy.

🍬 The scent is released mainly as leaves begin changing colour and drying on the tree.

🍃 Fruit

Type: Small, elongated follicles containing winged seeds.

Colour: Brownish when mature.

Features:

• Fruit has little ornamental appeal.

• Male trees generally do not bear fruit.

• ‘Red Fox’ is described as a male clone in some botanical references.

Edibility: No common food use.

🌱 Growing conditions

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Rich, deep, humus-rich and well drained.

Texture: Prefers fertile, loamy soil.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, but tolerates some alkalinity.

Moisture: Prefers consistently moist soil.

Watering: Regular, especially during the first few years and droughts.

Planting: Spring or fall.

Spacing: Allow about 4 to 6 m for development.

Location: Choose a spot sheltered from drying winds and scorching afternoon sun.

Special feature: Fall colour can be stronger in slightly acidic soil. Lack of water can cause leaves to brown or dry out.

❄️ Hardiness

Zones: 4 to 8 according to horticultural references. Some nurseries classify it as zone 5.

Winter resistance:

• Good hardiness for a katsura.

• Can withstand cold winters when well established.

• Young spring shoots are sensitive to late frosts.

• Young trees benefit from protection against cold, drying winds.

Special feature: Despite good hardiness, purple spring foliage can be damaged by late frosts.

✂️ Care

Pruning: Generally unnecessary. Keep its natural habit and remove only dead or damaged branches.

Pruning period: Late fall or late winter.

Fertilizing: Well-rotted compost in spring, if needed.

Mulching: Recommended to keep soil moist and protect roots.

Watering: Monitor especially during hot, dry weather.

Propagation: Mainly by cuttings or grafting to retain cultivar characteristics.

Transplanting: Can be difficult once established.

Diseases and pests:

• Generally few problems.

• Sensitive to leaf scorch during drought.

• May be affected by root-rot fungi in poorly drained soil.

🦋 Ecological value

• Branching provides shelter for birds.

• Spring flowers may be visited by some insects.

• Adds to ornamental tree diversity.

• Provides useful plant cover during the growing season.

✅ Highlights

• Beautiful reddish-purple spring foliage.

• Distinctive bronze and burgundy colours.

• Narrow, architectural habit.

• Suitable for gardens with limited lateral space.

• Beautiful orange and yellow fall colours.

• Characteristic caramel scent in fall.

• Good hardiness for a katsura.

• Little pruning required.

• Ornamental interest across several seasons.

❌ Points to consider

• Sensitive to late spring frosts.

• Needs cool, sufficiently moist soil.

• Sensitive to prolonged drought.

• May develop leaf scorch in hot weather.

• Growth and dimensions vary with conditions.

• Foliage gradually loses its purple colour in summer.

• Sometimes difficult to transplant.

🌳 Distinctive feature: ‘Red Fox’ is especially appealing for burgundy, almost chocolate-coloured spring foliage. Unlike typical green-leaved katsura, this cultivar creates spectacular contrast in the garden right from the start of the season.