Japanese Pagodatree Scholar-tree
Styphnolobium japonicum
Fabaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Quick Facts
Height
35–50 ft
Light
Part Shade
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4a–8b
Bloom Time
July to August
Origin
China and Korea, but not Japan Invasive: This species has
Phenological Calendar
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Mar 30, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,116 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,795 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,112 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,799 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,049 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,863 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,048 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,863 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,041 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,870 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,017 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,894 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,012 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,899 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 NEXT | 5911 | — est. Sep 22 (avg) |
Range: 3827–4233 GDD₃₂
(6yr)
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Mar 30, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 15, 2026, then climate normals.
Cultivars (2)
'Millstone'
Common name: Millstone Japanese Pagodatree; Mature height: 45 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
'Pendula'
Common name: Weeping Scholar-tree Dragon-claw Tree; Mature height: 15–25 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4