Japanese Pagoda Tree

Japanese Pagoda Tree

Sophora japonica

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲ ▼ mature, flowering trees

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ fruit

▲ leaves

Location on campus: east of Craig Hall (labeled)

Sophora japonica: Japanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar-tree

• leaves deciduous, alternate, pinnately compound with ovate leaflets with pointed tips; leaflets 1-2" long and 1/2 as wide; glossy bright green above and glaucous underneath
• stems slender, green, glabrous with gray lenticels and solid greenish pith
• bark is light gray brown and shallowly furrowed
• grows 50-75' tall and wide in rounded crown with upright spreading branches
• flowers are creamy-white in very large terminal panicles in late spring to early summer; fruit is a translucent yellow pod
• prefers full sun and well-drained soil; fairly soil adaptable except to wet soils
• medium to fast growth rate
• Landscape uses of Japanese Pagodatree, Scholar-tree:
  • Medium to large shade tree; specimen tree in flower
  • Sort of tropical appearance in growth habit
  • White flowers look like white frosted puffs from distance; translucent fruit pods interesting
  • Very soil adaptable