The scent of autumn (From The Northern Echo)

The scent of autumn

11:14am Friday 12th October 2007

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Not only does autumn produce some of the loveliest colours of the year but also the sweetest fragrances

ANOTHER minute ticked off on the yearly clock of seasons and the countryside sheds its green cloth for a bronzed autumnal coat. It is a time when all the senses are intensified, but none more so than that of smell.

Perfume from the viburnum hangs on the air like a rich honeycomb. The musky aroma of blackened, spent phormium flower stalks wafts on warmer afternoon winds, but it is the sweet smell of toffee that really makes you stop dead in your tracks. The delightful culprit is the katsura tree (cercidiphyllum japonicum).

The leaves of cercidiphyllum turn gold and apricot until the whole tree becomes a collection of shimmering amber hearts. Whereas many trees and shrubs dazzle us with their autumn colours, cercidiphyllum japonicum has something else to contribute to the pleasures of autumn: the scent of its dying leaves. To some people itfs the aroma of cinnamon or burnt sugar; or even candyfloss. No wonder then that it is known more commonly as the toffee tree. The perfume is not subtle or delicate. Lingering in the background, it is strong and heady and will fill the garden. People never fail to be intrigued and amused by such a surprising and unusual smell.

This ancient genus has been in existence for many millions of years. It is considered to be a distant relative of another stunningly different specimen, the tulip tree, or liriodendron. Katsura have rounded leaves, like the ecercisf (forest pansy or Judas tree), which typically colour well in autumn when the dying leaves emit the powerful and pleasant fragrance of toffee or caramelised sugar.

The common name katsura, alludes to the tale of a Chinese monk who discovered the secret of eternal life. Not content with this he went on to commit a hideous crime, for which he was sentenced to go to the moon to fell a 5,000 feet high tree. The image of the man in the moon we see today is the condemned man trying to accomplish this impossible task. This gives rise to the idea of a katsura as an impossible goal or unachievable dream. In western China many pharmacies sell katsura bark for its medicinal properties.

They are long-lived trees, growing to medium stature in the span of a normal lifetime but, in favourable conditions, they are destined to become large and wondrous specimens. They are suitable for growing in any deep, fertile soil but will produce the best autumn colour (and fragrance) in a lime-free area. They seem to grow best in a site sheltered from cold winds and shaded from early morning sun. Late spring frosts may superficially damage young growth in exposed sites, which leads to scorched leaf tips.

Donft worry though if your garden is too small to house a katsura. All you have to do is try and persuade someone in the locality to plant one, and the whole village, estate or road will be rewarded by its fiery autumnal display accompanied by the sweet candyfloss fragrance.

Before we slip into winter, its fairground perfume provides one last nostalgic reminder of the fun we have had in the garden earlier in the year.

Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show every Sunday from 1- 2pm. Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk anytime during the week, or texting 07786- 200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show.

On Saturday, November 10, BBC Tees invites you to a tree party in the Open Centre (opposite Middlesbrough bus station). Come and claim a free tree sapling and help to promote a greener world. Itfs a free event, with displays and crafts for the whole family. I will be there to offer a

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