Why you don’t want a golden rain tree

You have probably seen this tree hiding in plain sight until it flowers and subsequent pink, papery fruit capsules emerge in the fall and put on quite a show.  This is the golden rain tree sometimes also identified as Flamegold.  While it was a commonly planted tree many years ago, the golden rain tree has since fallen out of favor.  This tree was found to be invasive as its seeds ended up all over the place producing numerous seedlings and eventual trees.  There are also other reasons that you do not want this tree.

The golden rain tree can grow upwards to fifty feet tall with a similar width, but most in our area are less than thirty feet.   This evergreen tree has feathery compound leaves alternatively arranged on the branches.  The clusters of yellow flowers emerge in early fall and are followed by showy pink fruit capsules each containing about six seeds.  Both the flowers and the pink capsules can often be out at the same time making quite a display.    However, the golden rain tree, aka Koelreuteria elegans ssp. Formosana,  is classified by  the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) as a Category II Invasive Plant.  Category II means that “Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I, if ecological damage is demonstrated.”  The seeds are scattered around landscapes and can germinate in as little as six days.  These resulting seedlings can potentially grow to become trees which produce more seeds, and so on.  Now an invasive nature should be problem enough to disqualify  this plant.  The wood can also be weak and branches can break in windstorms.  One additional problem that is often experienced is the presence of the red and black jadera bug.  This stinkbug-like insect can show up by the thousands where there is a golden rain tree for the single purpose of feeding on the seeds.  This is their favorite food; so much so that they are also known as  "goldenrain tree bugs."  The jadera bug does not bite or sting, but its numbers can be quite disconcerting to homeowners and this insect can stain if squished.  If you have a golden rain tree in your yard, you will eventually have jadera bugs. 

So, as you look across the landscape and catch sight of a golden rain tree, just appreciate it from a distance!  For more information on all types of invasive plants, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resources:

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2015 List of Invasive Plant Species. (FLEPPC) http://www.fleppc.org/list/2015FLEPPCLIST-LARGEFORMAT-FINAL.pdf.

Gilman, E. F. & Watson, D. G. ( 2014) Koelreuteria elegans ssp: Flamegold.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Wilber, W. (2013)  The Golden Rain Tree, or Koelreuteria elegans, is an invasive species.  www.ocala.com/article .

The University of Queensland, Australia. (2011) Golden Rain Tree,  Koelreuteria elegans ssp. Formosana. 

Caldwell, D. (2015) Jadera bugs? Must be Spring! The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Collier County.