Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees

Golden-rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

Small trees

• Maximum height
  20 feet
• Relative growth rate
  Poor
• Freedom from insect pests
  Excellent
• Freedom from disease problems
  Good
• Resistance to storm damage
  Poor
• Will grow on poorly drained soil
  Poor
• Will grow in hot, dry areas
  Good
• Easy to transplant
  Excellent
• Withstands city conditions
  Good

The large, conspicuous yellow flower clusters of the golden rain tree (Figure 7) are produced in late June when few other trees are in bloom. The flowers are followed by showy bladderlike fruit that hang like clusters of small chinese lanterns until late in the fall. Its wide-spreading branching is especially well suited for the small yard. It will grow in a wide variety of soils and has no serious insect or disease pests. However, it is a relatively short-lived tree.