Is a Japanese katsura a good small Toronto front yard tree. The tree would need to be 3m W of curb, 4m N of the driveway. What other tree would be less trouble and better. Thanks for your help and advice. Big fans of yours.
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners.
The Katsura can be good choice for a front yard tree, but you are right to ask questions about its mature size and growth habit before deciding if it is a fit for your garden. It prefers to grow in average to moist soil conditions, with well drained soils in full sun to part shade being preferential.
The Katsura is a fairly fast grower and can grow from 25′ to 50′ tall and 10′ to 30 ‘ across at maturity. In addition, the Katsura has a pyramidal shape with branches growing fairly low to the ground…so it may outgrow the footprint of your yard but this depends on the cultivar. See previous Toronto Master Gardener question responses here: Katsura Tree & Katsura tree
Cercidiphyllum “Hanna’s Heart”, “Red Fox” and “Heronswood Globe” are other Katsura cultivars that are smaller and more compact.
Other considerations for a small space would be Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) or Amelenchier sp. (Serviceberry).
Happy planting.