This project explores the invasive potential of Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura-tree, Cercidiphyllaceae), a dioecious tree species native to temperate regions of China and Japan. Due to its characteristic heart-shaped leaves and attractive fall color, C. japonicum is commonly used as an ornamental and shade tree in temperate regions of North America. While the species has been identified as capable of escaping cultivation and/or becoming naturalized, little research on this has been published so far. A unique opportunity on the campus of Bucknell University occurred as regular landscaping/weeding that normally minimizes the possibility of establishment of unwanted plant species was reduced due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until fall of 2022, allowing early stages of germination of C. japonicum to be observed in various locations in the area. For this reason, two surveys were conducted on campus in order to assess the invasive potential of C. japonicum when left undisturbed in ideal conditions. Seedling recruitment data was collected utilizing a 1 x 1 m quadrat method alongside buildings with well-draining gravel. Additionally, an incursion of young C. japonicum trees discovered in a campus woodland was surveyed for size and potential age-class. These surveys of recruited and established individuals allow us to predict what conditions are most conducive to the escape and possible naturalization of C. japonicum in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. We suggest that the species be considered “potentially invasive” in this region.