The gingerbread tree is also called the Japanese cake tree or Katsura tree. We present the tree, which is colorfully colored and particularly fragrant in autumn.
The gingerbread tree attracts attention with its twisted growth, the colorful foliage and its unique smell of caramel and cinnamon. In Europe it is still considered a rarity, which may be due to the special location preferences. Here you can find out which gingerbread tree varieties there are and how best to care for them.
Gingerbread tree: flower, origin and properties
The gingerbread tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) comes from the family Cercidiphyllaceae. It is also known as the Katsura Tree, Judas Leaf Tree or just the Cake Tree.
The cake tree originally comes from East Asia, where it is found in humus-rich and moist locations, such as river areas and mountain streams, particularly in China and Japan. Although it can also thrive in European weather conditions, it is still considered a rarity in this country. Occasionally, however, the gingerbread tree with its picturesque growth can be found both as an ornamental and as a scented plant in parks and gardens.
While the gingerbread tree grows to a height of around 30 meters in its natural range, it only reaches a maximum height of 10 meters in temperate latitudes. It often grows with multiple stems, which is why it is cultivated here as a small tree or large shrub. Shortly after flowering, the brown-red and heart-shaped leaves sprout in April. These are similar to those of the lime tree and turn green in the following weeks, only the leaf stalks retain their red color. In September the autumn colors set in, the leaves first turning yellow-orange and then red, which is a magnificent spectacle. After and during the shedding of leaves in winter, the cake tree exudes a smell of caramel and cinnamon, which gives it its name. This is particularly pronounced in damp weather.
The cake tree is one of the four-season trees, as it pleases the eye with its colorful splendor almost all year round. Already from April to May the Japanese cake tree forms itsclusters of flowers. The gingerbread tree is dioecious (dioecious), so male and female flowers are on different trees - there are therefore purely male and purely female plants. The female flower appears in a bright crimson and consists of long, strong branches with stigmas. The male flower is light red and consists of a dense tuft of anthers. If a female and a male tree stand together and are both sexually mature, the female specimens form small green follicles in autumn, which contain the small seeds.
The most beautiful varieties of the cake tree
- 'Pendulum': The hanging gingerbread tree 'Pendulum' is one of the most beautiful varieties of the cake tree. The beautifully expansive growth with the hanging branches invites you to dream. The tree should be planted in isolation, not least to show it off better. With a height of 4 to 8 meters, it can stand outdoors or in a bucket. Since it grows very slowly, the hanging gingerbread tree in the pot can also be placed in an unheated conservatory. The 'Pendulum' variety is the most common in domestic nurseries, other varieties are rarely offered.
- 'Rotfuchs': Another variety of the gingerbread tree that is enjoying enduring popularity is the 'Rotfuchs' variety. The 'red fox' is both 6 meters high and wide. Its leaves are striking red and are set in an umbrella-like crown. As a tree that loves warmth, it is sensitive to late frosts.
- 'Strawberry': The variety Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Strawberry' already has red-pink leaves with soft yellow tones in summer. Unfortunately, this variety is difficult to obtain commercially.
Plant Gingerbread Tree
In spring or autumn, the gingerbread tree can be planted alone either directly outdoors or in a bucket. Choosing the right location plays an important role here. Due to its origin from river areas and waterfronts, the gingerbread tree needs a moist location. Especially the upper soil layers should always have enough moisture, since the gingerbread tree is a shallow root. Soil properties also play an important role. The cake tree prefers a loamy-clayey and nutrient-rich soil and tolerates both acidic andalkaline soil pH values.
Once the site has been chosen, a sufficiently large hole is dug that is at least 1.5 times as wide and deep as the root ball. A nutrient-rich substrate can also be mixed into this so that the young tree can root better. A substrate with compost and clay is suitable, as this results in a high water and nutrient storage capacity in the root area of the tree. Our Plantura organic universal soil, for example, is suitable for transplanting the gingerbread tree, and it also does not require any peat.
Large trees, especially bale goods, need a stable tree connection for the first 2 to 3 years after planting, so that the trunk is not pushed at an angle by the wind or the Katsura tree even falls over. If possible, a tree connection should consist of two poles and be aligned at right angles to the main wind direction. It not only protects the tree from falling over, but also from excessive movement - which has the advantage that newly formed adventitious roots are protected and the plant grows faster.
Once the gingerbread tree has been inserted and the planting hole filled with soil and pressed down, a casting ring can also be placed around the tree. For this purpose, a generous wall around the tree grate is modeled from earth. This creates a basin that you simply have to fill with water to pour.
Tip: Finally, it is best to cover the tree pit with a thick layer of mulch to protect the soil from drying out quickly. Especially in the summer of the first year of growth, the Japanese cake tree needs to be watered regularly, as it does not yet have enough roots to manage this itself.
The most important care measures
If the ornamental small tree is in the right place, caring for the gingerbread tree is quite uncomplicated. The hardy tree is robust and well suited to the European climate. In addition, he is less susceptible to diseases. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to fertilizing and watering to support the growth of the gingerbread tree and the beautiful autumn colors.
Fertilize and water the cake tree
The growth of the gingerbread tree can be promoted by adding fertilizer, which makes sense especially in nutrient-poor or sandy locations.
A primarily organic fertilizer is particularly well suited to the soil qualities required for the Katsura tree - water retention capacity and nutrient richness - to maintain.For example, our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is suitable, which should be applied to the gingerbread tree once a year in spring. The plant nutrients of the organic fertilizer are released over a long period of time and the organic matter promotes soil life.
A good alternative is the use of compost: This can also be spread on the tree pit in spring.
If you want particularly strong autumn colors, the soil can be acidified. Because the following applies: the more acidic the soil, the stronger the beautiful autumn colors will be. You can learn all about acidifying the soil in our article on soil pH.
In addition to fertilization, watering also plays a central role in caring for the gingerbread tree. In order to prevent premature leaf shedding, it must be watered sufficiently. However, if there is a dry period, the tree will sprout again after adding more water. It is therefore important to water the cake tree regularly, especially in the first few years.
Cutting the gingerbread tree
The picturesque growth of the gingerbread tree usually makes it unnecessary to cut the tree. If a cut is necessary, the best time to cut is between February and March, but definitely before mid-June. Dead branches should be removed with the saw at their base. Thinning pruning removes branches that point inward or cross each other.
Tip: The gingerbread tree can be propagated using sticks. For this, young shoots are cut off the tree in May or June and pre-cultivated in a pot. For this purpose, a high-quality pricking soil such as our Plantura organic seed soil is mixed with sand and optionally some rooting powder, the stick inserted and pressed down well. With enough water, the shoots will root and sprout. If a strong root system has developed after a while, the gingerbread tree can be planted outdoors.
Is the gingerbread tree poisonous?
The gingerbread tree and all its parts are not classified as poisonous. Even if there are no known signs of poisoning for humans or animals, the consumption of parts of the plant should be avoided.
If you choose the right location and take care of it, the gingerbread tree is a wonderful eye-catcher. The smell of caramel and cinnamon in autumn also remainsnot unnoticed. By the way: did you know? The dried flowers of the clove also exude a delicious aroma. We have compiled everything you need to know about the cultivation of the clove in a fact sheet.