Panicled Goldenraintree, Varnish Tree, Pride of India
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 30-40' tall and wide. Rounded growth habit. Medium-fast growth rate. Usually lives 60-90 years, or until it gets Verticillium wilt disease from the soil.

Native Range

Native to China, Japan, and Korea. Introduced into cultivation in 1763.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are golden-yellow, 0.5" wide, borne in profusion on showy, 12-15" panicles that cover the tree in June-July. Fruits are dehiscent, papery, 3-valved capsules, 1.5-2" long, changing from green to yellow to brown, July-October.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound or bi-pinnately compound, 6-18" long, with 7-15 leaflets, each 1-4" long, coarsely serrate to deeply toothed or shallowly lobed near the base, green and glabrous above, with limited pubescence on veins beneath. Yellow to orange-yellow fall color. Bark is light gray-brown, ridged and furrowed on older trunks. Young stems stout, light brown, with large, shield-shaped, raised leaf scars, prominent orange-brown, raised lenticels, and solid white pith.

Culture and Care

Likes full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Tolerates clay, alkaline soil, heat, drought, wind, and air pollution. Zone 5-8. No serious disease or insect problems, occasionally coral-spot fungus, leaf spot, canker, wilt and root rot. Verticillium wilt can be a serious problem that can kill the tree. Could also get leaf spot, canker, root rot and nematodes.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

This is one of the few cold-hardy, yellow-flowering trees. 3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall. Can become invasive in some situations, but usually just in the near proximity of the parent tree.

Suggested Uses

This species has been determined to be invasive within our local region (KY, OH, and/or IN). Local use is not recommended.
Excellent as a small lawn tree, or around a patio for some shade. Good specimen tree for smaller areas and tough sites.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA