Koelreuteria paniculata
Goldenrain tree

• Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-9.

• Water use: Moderate.

• Light: Full sun or light shade.

• Size: 30 to 40 feet tall and wide.

• Native Range: China, Japan, and Korea.

• Plant habit and use: Rounded, deciduous shade tree with summer flowers.

• Leaves: Medium to dark green compound leaves.  They are reddish when they emerge in the spring.  Fall color may be unimpressive or yellow-orange fall color.

• Trunk and branches:  Typically the tree has a single trunk from which spreading, twisting branches arise.  They are often quite picturesque on mature trees and the light gray bark adds winter interest.

• Flowers: In midsummer, large stalks with many small yellow flowers cover the tree.

• Fruits:  Flowering stalks become covered with papery pods that resemble little paper lanterns.  They are green, turning tannish-pink and fading to brown.  Most remain on the tree through winter.  Some people think they provide winter interest, others think the trees look messy in winter.

• Culture: This tree is tolerant of a wide range of conditions.

• Other: Branches on young trees may be damaged during cold winters, but older trees don't show this problem.