Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Last academic year I blogged about common trees and their seasonal attributes. This year I'm going to stick to picking out the occasional unusual tree, nothing very rare, but valuable for its particular features  at certain times. Something to surprise people with - something that could easily be more widely used.
This week Cercidiphyllum japonicum. I took these photos last week in Cheshire but have noticed the time of leaf fall varies between individuals of this same species in the local area. And its the leaf fall that is the key to this small tree. For not only do the Autumn colours include lime green, apple green, butter yellow and raspberry pink, sometimes on the same leaf, but their fragrance is astounding. As the heart-shaped leaves senesce and fall they exude an enticing scent of candyfloss and toffee apples. Even the fallen leaf litter continues to do this. Part of the romanticism of this tree is that the scent can be elusive - you might catch it on the breeze 20 metres from the tree but be unable to do so again with your nose right amongst the foliage.
It likes most soils but does not like drought, is fully hardy and will deal with anything but exposure to harsh winds. If you plant it somewhere confined its fragrance intensifies. Plant next to a path or in a front garden and passers by will love it, most especially for about three weeks every September.