Beginner Gardening: Katsura Trees - Cercidiphylium, 1 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
flowerprincess:

You've taken on a challenge...but what is gardening after all?

Cercidiphyllum japonicum wouldn't be the first tree species to come to mind for creating shade in UT, but what does this Ohio Valleyian know. I think if you are prepared to regularly provide water in your relatively xeric climate (15" rain annually, if I recall, for your area) then you can probably keep this tree going. I agree with the recommendations above, for north exposure and maybe some temporary shade cloth structure to get your new plant through the initial establishment and extremely hot periods. I'd stick with the weeping katsura, instead of the standard tree.

If you were to join up as a subscriber to DG, you could see a thread over on Trees and Shrubs about the weeping katsura. I think it's titled "Amazing Grace", after a specific named selection of this plant. It demonstrates the potential that weeping katsura can reach, given the opportunity. Here's the PlantFiles entry:

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/77215/

Here's another view of this fine plant. Good luck with yours.