Feature Tree Archives


Common Name: Goldenrain tree

Scientific Name: Koelreuteria paniculata

Family: Sapindaceae

This Tree in Colorado: Goldenraintree is a beautiful small tree. It is interesting to look at all summer long. Its double pinnate compound leaves have interesting leaflets and they have a rich, deep-green color. The yellow flowers eventually turn into unique capsules which look like miniature Japanese lanterns. There are a couple cultivars: one for a growth habit of being more upright, another for later flowering into August. This tree is becoming more popular in the western U.S.

 Habit: Small tree, densely foliated with a regular, rounded outline. 

Landscape Value: A wonderful small tree for a yard and providing shade. It is used as a small street tree in many areas. Its yellow flowers make it interesting in the summer months. 

Hardiness:  Zones 2-9. A wide range of temperature tolerance.

Leaves:  Alternate, pinnate or bipinnately compound, 6-18" long, 7 to 15 leaflets. Each leaflet is 1 to 4" long. Coarsely or irregularly crenate-serrate.

Flowers: Perfect, yellow. Very showy. Borne on a panicle in mid July.

Fruit:  Papery, 3-valved capsule. 1 1/2" to 2" long. Changes from green to yellow to brown. Shown well into September. Gives tree a nice texture.

Bark: Light gray-brown, ridged and furrowed on older trunks.

 

 

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