SMA Selects the 2011 Urban Tree of the Year
Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) Photos by Steve Cothrel except where indicated
Koelreuteria paniculata in high bloom
Here, SMAers attest to the many fine qualities of the 2011 Urban Tree of the Year, goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata).
I
first became acquainted with goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) in southeastern
Virginia where the species is commonly used as an ornamental tree in medians and landscapes. While goldenraintree has many attractive mor- phological features, it was the showy splendor of almost tropical-like yellow flower panicles that
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caught my attention on that early summer day long after the flowering cherries, dogwoods, red- buds, and azaleas had lost their spring glory.
Over the years I observed many other interesting attributes that make this medium sized tree so unique and well suited for boulevards and tree lawns in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. I witnessed the paper thin yellow-green dehiscent capsules that take on a luminescent glow like a Chinese lantern as the late summer rays filter through the open crown.
There are many other reasons why SMA members selected Koelreuteria paniculata as the 2011 Tree
City Trees
