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 ½ 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:

o   Medium to large shade tree; specimen tree in flower

o   Sort of tropical appearance in growth habit

o   White flowers look like white frosted puffs from distance; translucent fruit pods interesting

o   Very soil adaptable