Side by side
Japanese pagoda tree or false acacia? How to tell them apart
Styphnolobium japonicum · Robinia pseudoacacia
How to tell them apart – Japanese pagoda tree: pinnate leaf with 7–17 pointed, untoothed leaflets and green twigs, in late summer creamy flower panicles and pods like strings of beads; false acacia: blunt, oval leaflets, spines at the leaf base, white flower clusters in May and flat pods.
How do you recognise them?
- Japanese pagoda tree
- Pinnate leaf with 7–17 pointed, untoothed leaflets and green twigs; in late summer creamy flower panicles and pods like strings of beads.
- False acacia
- Pinnate leaf with oval, untoothed leaflets and two spines at the base of each leaf; hanging clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with Japanese pagoda tree: blunt, oval leaflets, spines at the leaf base, white flower clusters in May and flat pods.
| Japanese pagoda tree | False acacia | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, pinnate, 15–25 cm, with 7–17 oval, pointed and untoothed leaflets 3–5 cm long and a terminal leaflet; underside blue-green. No spines. | Alternate, pinnate with 9–19 oval, smooth-edged leaflets and a terminal leaflet. Two sharp spines at the leaf base. |
| Flowering | Large, upright panicles of creamy pea flowers in August–September; young trees do not flower yet (August–September). | Hanging clusters of white, highly fragrant pea flowers in May–June; loved by bees (June). |
| Fruit | Green, fleshy pods 5–8 cm long, constricted between the seeds like a string of beads; they hang on into winter. | Flat brown pods 5–10 cm that stay on the tree for a long time. |
| Bark | Grey-brown and furrowed; young twigs strikingly dark green, even in winter. | Grey-brown and deeply furrowed in a network pattern, often twisted. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 15–25 m | Broadleaf tree, 15–25 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, dry | Full sun, any garden soil, dry |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | No, an invasive alien species |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for bees |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | July–August and November–February | June–August |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Japanese pagoda tree is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- False acacia is an invasive non-native species: do not plant it. Pull up seedlings and choose a native species instead.
- False acacia is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Japanese pagoda tree (15–25 m) and false acacia (15–25 m) both grow into large trees: too big for an ordinary garden, but fine in a large garden, a park or a meadow.
Read on
- Plant profile: Japanese pagoda tree
- Plant profile: False acacia
- Japanese pagoda tree: when and how to prune
- False acacia: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.