Chinese Flame Tree

Chinese Flame Tree

15 Gallon / Standard
$159.00
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Chinese Flame Tree
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Chinese Flame Tree

Koelreuteria bipinnata

Summer Golden Rain & Lantern Seed Pods • Brilliant Yellow Fall Foliage • Fast-Growing & Heat Tolerant

$159.00
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Description

The Chinese Flame Tree is a spectacular four-season tree that provides a long-lasting display. In late summer, it showers the ground with golden-yellow flowers, followed by eye-catching, lantern-like pink seed pods that persist into winter. Its adaptability to heat, drought, and poor soil, along with its brilliant yellow fall foliage, make it a popular and resilient choice for Bay Area landscapes where space allows.

  • Offers a sensational summer display with large panicles of small, golden-yellow flowers that create a "golden rain" effect when they drop.

  • Produces showy, papery, pink to rust-colored seed pods (husks) that resemble Chinese lanterns, providing exceptional ornamental interest from fall through winter.

  • Features bright green, fern-like compound leaves that turn a clear, golden yellow in autumn, adding a third season of color.

  • Fast-growing and highly adaptable to heat, drought, wind, and a variety of well-drained soils once established.

  • Note: It has a broad, spreading canopy and brittle wood that can be susceptible to breakage in strong winds. Prune when young to develop a strong structure.

Quick Facts

  • Features:Foliage: Bipinnate compound leaves (12-24") with 10-20 ovate leaflets, turning golden yellow in fall.Flowers: Panicles of golden star-shaped blooms creating "golden rain" effect.Fruit: Papery rose-colored lantern-like seed pods.Bark: Textured gray-brown with shallow fissures
  • Mature Size:Height: 25-45 ft.Width: 15-30 ft
  • Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
  • Light Needs: Full sun
  • Key Advantages:Extended seasonal interest (flowers for 6+ weeks).Heat and drought tolerant.Adaptable to various soils.Pest resistant
  • Landscape Uses:Striking lawn specimen.Urban street tree.Asian-themed gardens.Xeriscape focal point
  • Cultural Significance:Four-Season Show: Spring foliage → Summer blossoms → Autumn fruits → Winter structure。Folk Names: "Lantern Tree" (for its pods), "National Day Flower", "Money Tree", "Golden Rain Tree"

Faqs

Q: Is it messy?
A: It can be. The fallen flowers, leaves, and eventually the papery seed pods create litter. It is best planted as a lawn specimen or in a park setting where the litter can decompose naturally, rather than over patios, driveways, or pools.

Q: How do I prevent branch breakage?
A: When the tree is young, prune to encourage a strong, central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches. Avoid planting it in excessively windy corridors. Its natural lifespan is not extremely long (30-50 years), and some branch drop is inherent to its growth habit.

Q: Is it related to the invasive Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)?
A: They are in the same genus but different species. The Chinese Flame Tree (K. bipinnata) is generally not considered invasive in California, unlike the more commonly planted Golden Rain Tree (K. paniculata), which has seeded into wildlands in some areas. The Chinese Flame Tree is a preferable non-invasive choice.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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15 Gallon

15 Gallon

One of the most common larger landscape sizes for trees and shrubs. It offers noticeable height and fullness while still being practical for many residential planting projects.

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24" Box

24" Box

A substantial tree and shrub size with immediate visual impact. It usually requires a dolly, hand truck or similar equipment for moving, and access should be considered before delivery.

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Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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