This week’s Tree of the Week is the Goldenrain tree! Goldenrain trees can start to flower as early as June and into late July, which we’re seeing right now. If you’re ready to learn more about this type of tree and the benefits it brings to our urban canopy, keep reading.
The Goldenrain tree is native to China and was introduced to the Americas in the 1760s. It’s considered an invasive species in some areas but is ideal for the Front Range as it tolerates our alkaline soils much better than other trees and doesn’t require much moisture.
This landscape tree can grow to be about 30 feet and despite its thin trunk, can grow a lush, broad canopy. Since it’s flowering now, you’ll see that it was named for the blooms that appear to pour out of the leaves like golden rain.
Benefits of Goldenrain Trees
As a blooming tree, the Goldenrain is very good to have in your yard if you want to attract pollinators. Its flowers are considered to be a “nectar haven” for them. And by attracting pollinators to your yard, you’re encouraging healthy biodiversity to flourish around you.
When trees attract pollinators, they can also sometimes attract unwanted pests into your yard, but luckily, Goldenrain trees only sometimes attract red-shouldered bugs that will feed on immature seeds, but they won’t cause damage to your tree.
Another benefit to having a Goldenrain in your yard is the broad canopy it can grow to offer shade and privacy, making it an excellent investment for your property and community!
However, that doesn’t mean this tree isn’t without its minor inconveniences.
Cons of Goldenrain Trees
Because this is a flowering tree, it can become quite messy as seedlings drop and flower debris falls from the limbs. The seedlings that drop come from the pods splitting open in the early fall. So, depending on where you plant this tree, you could have a bit of cleanup if you want a clear space.
Another mild nuisance about the Goldenrain tree is that it can grow leaning limbs. That, combined with its brittle bark, makes this tree more susceptible to storm damage. But luckily, there are ways to help prevent that with a bit of routine trimming.
Regular trimming will be important for these trees due to our storms, whether in summer or winter. With brittle bark, their limbs are more likely to fall during a high-wind storm or from heavy snow.
Luckily, our arborists are here to take care of that for you.
Routine tree trimming helps regulate tree growth in all species, not just the Goldenrain. By trimming weak or improperly grown branches, the tree is able to direct its energy into growing healthier, sturdier branches, which is vital for the Goldenrain.
We’ve written at length about the importance of tree trimming, so we won’t bore you with the details here. Just know that our arborists give free estimates for all your trimming needs. Keep your trees healthy with ArborScape!
Give us a call at (303) 806-TREE to learn how we can help with your tree needs.
