Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Golden Rain Tree

Family: Sapindaceae

Distribution: Northern China, Korea

Habitat: Forest

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: A small, open-branching, irregularly-shaped, deciduous tree with a rounded crown which typically grows 30-40' tall and as wide. Features pinnate or bi-pinnate, feathery, compound leaves to 18" long, each leaf having 7-17 irregularly lobed leaflets. Leaves emerge pinkish bronze to purplish in spring, mature to a bright green in summer and turn various shades of yellow in fall. Bright yellow flowers to 1/2" wide appear in early summer in long, terminal, panicles 12-15" long. Falling blossoms may or may not resemble "golden rain", but the fallen blossoms often form an attractive golden carpet under the tree. Flowers give way to interesting, brown, papery seed capsules which somewhat resemble Chinese lanterns.
Best grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils. Tolerates drought and many city air pollutants.