Japanese pagoda tree.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 50 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of sun to encourage the best flowering. Keep an eye on the soil moisture during the first few years, but it becomes quite drought tolerant once established. Watch for any signs of leaf drop or yellowing which might suggest poor drainage.

Watering

Water deeply once a week during dry spells while the tree is young.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter months to remove dead wood and shape the canopy.

Repotting

If grown in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as it outgrows its space.

Soil

Well draining loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Long lived, often 50 to 100 years.

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested.

Children

Keep children away from the pods as they are toxic if eaten.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a moderate trigger for those with seasonal allergies.

Edibility

The pods and seeds contain toxins and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Compound leaves with small oval leaflets
• Clusters of creamy white pea flowers
• Smooth gray bark on younger branches
• Distinctive knobby seed pods in autumn

Height

10 to 20m

Spread

10 to 15m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, cream, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

green, yellow, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Twig blight · Fungal infection causing dieback on smaller branches.
• Scale insects · Small insects that suck sap and weaken the tree.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Young trees benefit from a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from deep freezes. No special winter care is needed for established trees.

In containers

It is generally too large for long term container growth.

Plant shallow rooted perennials under the tree to avoid disturbing its root system.

Grows well with

• Daylily · They thrive in similar light conditions and provide nice color contrast.
• Catmint · This perennial fills the space beneath the canopy with long lasting blooms.

Similar species

• Black Locust · It shares similar compound leaves and pea like flowers.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Styphnolobium

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

China and Korea

Conservation

Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in well drained soils and is highly adaptable to various urban conditions.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shade tree, urban street tree, honey production

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this tree messy?

It can drop a significant amount of pods and flowers in late summer and autumn.

How fast does it grow?

It has a moderate growth rate, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from Greek words meaning stiff and pod, referring to the fruit, while the specific epithet incorrectly suggests a Japanese origin.

Good to know

• It is often called the Japanese pagoda tree despite being native to China.
• The flowers are sometimes used to produce a yellow dye.
• It is a member of the pea family.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants