The Chinese Rain Tree

or

Chinese Golden-Rain Tree

(Koelreuteria Elegans)

The Chinese Rain Tree

In our backyard we have the most amazing tree placed almost exactly in the center of the lot.  It's a tree that everyone in the complex (that has access to it) adores, and it never seems to disappoint us for any of our needs.  It's called a Chinese Rain Tree, but for the longest time we all called it "The Japanese Lantern Tree".  It provides us with some of the first tree buds of the spring, much needed shade in the scorching heat of the Texas summer., Finally, we are rewarded with a spectacular floral display at the end of summer followed by a completely different color display in the early fall when it's seed pods start to mature.

The Chinese Rain Tree is native to Taiwan and Southern China.  It can grow up to 50 ft tall and have a diameter of 35-50 ft around.  In many parts of the world (generally zones 9-11) it has been planted as a general landscaping tree and lines many streets because of it's beauty and changing nature during different seasons.  While very decorative, it's been deemed as a weed or an invasive species in many environments, Australia and Florida being two of them.

The last surviving flower on a cluster, shown with pink seed pods.

While it can bloom anywhere from summer to fall, when it does it produces branchlike clusters of perfect little yellow flowers.  The flowers contain both male and female parts, making the plant Hermaphrodite in nature.  At the end of its yearly growing cycle, before it drops it's leaves, the flowers die off and it produces hundreds of light lantern-like pinkish seed pods that each contain small black seeds.  After that, depending on the weather of the zone, it loses it's leaves until the upcoming spring.

Examples of the seed pods.  Beautiful Pink coloring.

While doing my research on this tree, I read that with plenty of water and a good, fast draining soil that these seeds could sprout in as little as 8-10 days after planting.  The tree is also a fast grower.  It does have a few pests and conditions that could effect the tree, including Scales, Root Rot, and Canker Verticillium--a species of fungus that invades damaged bark and can kill off further bark and cause wilt to the tree.  To date, I am unaware of any of these problems occurring with our tree, which indicates to me that it's fairly easy to care for.

Happy Gardening Everyone!

Thank you for everything, Mr Martinez.  We'll miss you.

I chose to write about this today in honor of my landlord, Roosevelt Martinez.  He passed away last Tuesday from complications brought on by a brain aneurysm at the age of 81.  He was a good man, and a very good friend and he will be missed terribly by many people.  He spent a lot of time this past summer sitting in the shade under this particular tree in the backyard supervising the re-roofing of two of our apartment buildings in the complex. We had some good talks while he was sitting out there and I will always remember him every time I look at that tree.  May you rest in peace and your spirit soar in heaven Mr. Martinez.  You really made a difference in my life, and I'll never forget you.