Japanese pagodatree (Sophora japonica) also known as Chinese Scholar
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Chinese Scholar Tree or Japanese Pagoda Tree A native of China, this
medium sized tree grows to 65 feet in height, usually with a broad round crown. It
has a rapid growth rate and tolerates city conditions, heat, and drought. When grown in a
yard, the Japanese Pagoda Tree can reach a height ranging from 50 to 75 feet; however,
when grown along the road in compact soil, it only grows to 30 or 40 feet. Sophora has a
height and spread of from 40 to 60 feet. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and prefers an
open, sunny location. |
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Foliage The 6- to 10-inch, bright-green, pinnate leaves are fern-like and consist of 9 to 15, elliptic leaflets. The leaves are extremely pest-free. Fall color is yellow. | |
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Bloom This tree begins to bloom when 10 to 15 years old. In late summer and early fall, 10- to15-inch upright panicles of mildly fragrant, creamy-white, pea-like flowers are produced at the ends of branches and live about a month. | |
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Seeds Flowers are replaced by ornamental yellow seed pods, 6 to 8 inches long, which persist well into the winter and resemble strings of beads. | |
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Bark The young bark is pale gray, becoming furrowed into fibrous, interlaced, scaly ridges. |
Photos: Judy Sedbrook
