Styphnolobium japonicum (Sophora japonica)
Japanese pagoda tree or Scholar tree

• Hardiness: USDA Zone 5-8.

• Water use: Moderate or low.

• Light: Full sun or light shade.

• Size: 60 to 75 feet tall, and 75 to 100 feet wide.

• Native Range: Korea and Japan.

• Plant habit and use: Spreading or rounded, deciduous shade tree with summer flowers.

• Leaves: Compound leaves with small leaflets.  Medium to dark green, with yellowish fall color.

• Stems:  Green.

• Flowers: Tree is covered with creamy white flowers in late summer.  Flowers are shaped like flowers of pea plants and have a faint fragrance.

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

• Maintenance: Branches may break in ice storms, unless properly pruned for strong branch attachments.

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

• Cultivar: 'Regent' is a popular cultivar that was selected to flower at a young age.