Did you planted your katsura in partial shade if you come from the South, or in full sun if you come from the North?
Did you planted your katsura in a spot sheltered from strong winds?
Did you planted your tree in well-drained soil?
Do you keep the soil moist, but not soggy or flooded?
Did you fertilize your katsura in the spring?
Do you prune your katsura tree excessively?
Do you keep your katsura tree free of pests, diseases, and environmental problems?
Because they are understory trees (a tree that grows under the canopies of larger, taller trees) in the wild, Katsuras can be grown in partial shade. In the more southerly areas of their range, giving them a bit of shade can keep their leaves from becoming scorched in summer. In the North give them full sun, because they achieve better fall-foliage color under these conditions.
Katsura trees are weak limbed, so a sheltered spot is preferable with protection from wind gusts. If your tree doesn't have natural protection, erecting windbreaks is advisable.
It's most important that the soil is well-drained and relatively moist. Neutral to slightly acid soil pH is best, but the katsura can tolerate somewhat more acid soil.
Katsuras have moderate watering needs overall but may need more frequent watering in dry areas, although it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Water as needed to keep the soil moist (but not wet) until the tree is well established, then water according to seasonal conditions.
Fertilize katsura trees with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Be sure to soak the ground well afterward to ensure that the fertilizer goes down to the roots.
Katsuras typically do not need pruning other than seasonal cleanup and maintenance. Check the tree each spring, and remove any suckers or dead branches.
Good job! You are taking good care of your katsura tree.
Katsura tree has proven to be a fairly pest and disease-free. The biggest drawback is the chance that the bark will split in the wintertime. Bark can split on the lower southwest-facing portion of the trunk. Wrapping the tree with tree wrap each winter can reduce the occurrence of this problem.
https://www.thespruce.com/katsura-tree-care-and-growing-guide-4588925
https://gardening.yardener.com/Problems-Of-Katsura-Tree
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/katsura/japanese-katsura-tree-care.htm
Sreten null
Hi! I’m Sreten Filipović. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, with a master's degree in Environmental Protection in Agricultural Systems. I’ve worked as a researcher at Finland's Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) on a project aimed at adapting south-western Finland to drought episodes. I founded a consulting agency in the field of environment and agriculture to help farmers who want to implement the principles of sustainability on their farms. I’m also a founding member of the nonprofit organization Ecogenesis from Belgrade whose main goal is non-formal education on the environment and ecology. In my spare time, I like to write blog posts about sustainability, the environment, animal farming, horticulture, and plant protection. I’ve also published several science-fiction short stories.
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreten-filipovi%C4%87-515aa5158/
