Golden Raintree in Urban Parking Lot

Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a medium sized landscape tree maturing to 30-40 feet in height and spread with rounded canopy. A native of China, Japan, and Korea, the tree is winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Large panicles of dark yellow flowers set off a golden fireworks for your 4th of July celebration.

Individual flowers barely measure a 1/2″ wide, but the multi-branched floral panicles measure 10-15 ” across. The bipinnately compound leaves are also large at 8 to 14 inches in spread. The medium green colored spring/summer foliage turns pale green in autumn before dropping.
 
Yellow-green triangular 1 to 2 inches long seed capsules soon follow after flowering. The papery seed capsules are often called “Chinese lanterns” and are a significant ornamental feature. Each lantern may contain 1-3 hard black globular seeds. By early fall the capsules have turned dark brown. Bark of old trees is ridged with shallow reddish brown furrows.

Goldenrain tree grows in a wide range of soils, including high pH soils. It’s rarely bothered by pests and demonstrates exceptional heat and drought tolerances. It excels as a specimen yard tree, or utilize planted along wide avenues or in parking lots with their lower branches limbed high.

Seed viability may potentially be an invasive plant issue in some Southeastern states.

Looking ahead: see also blog on Chinese flametree to be published 7-15-11