The University of Connecticut Horticulture website states: Habitat: large forest tree of Japan and China, hardy to zone 4. Habit and Form: large deciduous tree, 40-60 ft. tall, 20-30 ft. wide, some trees pyramidal, others wide spreading, dense crown, coarse winter texture. Summer Foliage: simple opposite leaves, broad ovate rounded leaves, cordate leaf base, crenate margins, leaves resemble redbud (Cercis), leaves emerge purple, mature to bluish green. Autumn Foliage: outstanding display, yellow to apricot fall color, colors early in season, autumn leaves give off spicy, brown sugar odor. Flowers: open before leaves in March-April, green and not showy, dioecious. Fruit: small pods borne 2-4 on stalk, pods release thin winged seeds. Bark: brown, shaggy and peeling on old trunks. Culture: not easy to transplant, rich moist well-drained soil, pH adaptable, water during dry periods. Landscape Use: specimen for parks, large lawns and golf courses, can be used as a street tree. Liabilities: require water during establishment, dry periods, size limits use to large spaces, not easy to transplant. ID Features: opposite, rounded leaves like redbud, small pods with winged seeds, sweet smell as leaves color in fall, small reddish opposite buds, appressed, brown shaggy pealing bark. Propagation: by cuttings. by seed. Cultivars/Varieties: 'Aureum' - The leaves mature to yellow after emerging purplish/green. 'Heronswood Globe' - An unusual dwarf form with a tight, globular habit to 15' tall. Good for smaller gardens. 'Pendula' - A weeping form, with graceful pendulous branches. The plant reaches 15' to 25' tall. 'Tidal Wave' and 'Amazing Grace' are other weepings forms, some with a more strongly weeping habit. 'Ruby' - A more dwarf form, only reaching perhaps 30' tall, with leaves suffused with a bluish-purple hue.

This is an elegant tree that is quick growing especially when young and pyramidal-oval to rounded shaped when mature. It is exquisite in spring when the new bronzy purple leaves are backlit by the sun. The mature leaves are blue-green and roughly heart-shaped. The fall color is yellow or yellow-orange and dropping leaves small faintly of burnt sugar. The brown slightly shaggy bark is lovely through the season and it is a superb species for large lawns, parks and streets.