h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Katsura - The Caramel Tree - A87787624
Author: SashaQ - nanowrimoed - U9936370

Inspired by the Ponderosa Pine Entry currently in Peer Review, here is a little entry about another scented tree!

just right

Lovely.

Indeed, I might try and plant one of these in my garden, in the neighbourhood cats' toilet area.

GB

Just one question: do you know *why* it produces the scent? It's not to attract pollinating insects, because it's the wrong time of year. I'm just curious why the tree should go to all the trouble.

Thanks everyone

Some links added plus a footnote to indicate why the tree has scent.

Hey Sasha :D

This is a really neat little entry, and tells me about a tree I had never heard of before Have you seen one growing? I ask in the hopes that you're able to take a photograph of it once Spring finally arrives.


I have a few little suggestions

(Cercidiphyllum Japonicum) -----> Cercidiphyllum japonicum ( cos Latin names only have capital letter on first half of name, and they should be written in italics please

becoming a butteryyellow if ----> Put a non breaking space between the two links as so:  

female flowers develop into thin 1cm long fruits in late summer, each containing several seeds.

query? does there need to be a male tree close by in order to pollinate these seeds?


In autumn, from the time when the they change colour until the time when they fall off for the winter, the Katsura leaves release their scent1.

Variously described as like candy floss/cotton candy or burnt sugar, the scent of the leaves at this time gives the Katsura its nickname of the caramel tree.

I'd run these two sentences together, as they focus on the same subject, so don't really need to be put as separate paragraphs.


The only thing I'd suggest you add is that this tree has an RHS Award of Garden Merit, which shows it to be a worthwhile specimen to grow. Reliable and so forth.


http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=371


Apart from that and I hope to see this featuring in the Edited Guide in the near future.

Thanks Lanzababy

Changes made

I haven't seen one growing myself, but I have seen a picture of the Katsura that grows in Barnsdale (Geoff Hamilton's Gardener's World garden in Rutland). Seeing the photo in a slideshow and learning about its scent gave me the inspiration to write this Entry

You're welcome Sasha - this is looking good now!

I just added a little more about the flowers, and also its use as wood for furniture in China and Japan.

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!

Well this one is going to challenge the Artists. Dmitri, look at their expenses carefully. Any flights to China or Japan need scrutinising

We'll watch 'em. on this.

I'll fly off with my trusty camera no problem, thanks

Having said that, does that mean getting a photo is going to be a bit tricky??

I've been given the task of finding out if there is a photo available



and I can't draw a convincing tree



well maybe I could do a botany type doodle? wad d'you think?

So, anyone off to China then I'll lend you my camera

Rosie

Seem to have missed this until now! Thanks everyone

Hi Rosie

I think a botany type doodle might be a good idea - looking at pictures of the whole tree, it doesn't look very very distinctive, whereas closeups of the leaves are rather attractive http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/item/Cherry-Tree-Arboretum/Katsura-Tree/XLI

hi....I've had a look, I could try drawing one, but I'm not sure my skills would do it justice...it would probably just look like a pretty pink, rather ordinary leaf... I'll pass t he suggetions back and see what the others think.

But thanks for the suggestions....i think a photo would be best - if we could find one...

Rosie

Hi Rosie

Coincidentally, I read a gardening magazine this weekend, and it mentioned Katsura As well as in Barnsdale, Katsura can be found in Cawdor Castle Gardens in Scotland and in Exbury Gardens near Southampton.

Not the right time of year just now for photographing it, as it is deciduous and its spring is late this year, but maybe that will help for finding one to photograph sometime.