Golden Rain TreeGolden Rain TreeKoelreuteriaKoelreuteria eleganselegans (Seem) (Seem)

SapindaceaeSapindaceae

BiologyBiology•• Native to TaiwanNative to Taiwan•• Medium sized, deciduous treeMedium sized, deciduous tree

–– 25 to 50 feet in height25 to 50 feet in height–– 35 to 50 foot diameter spread35 to 50 foot diameter spread

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses•• Popular Popular

ornamental treeornamental tree•• Colorful petals Colorful petals

and roseand rose--colored colored fruit capsulesfruit capsules

DistributionDistribution•• Found throughout much of Florida, Found throughout much of Florida,

Louisiana, Alabama, and TexasLouisiana, Alabama, and Texas•• Commonly found along roadways and Commonly found along roadways and

disturbed areas and forest edgesdisturbed areas and forest edges–– Generally as a direct escape from cultivationGenerally as a direct escape from cultivation

Golden Rain Tree Distribution in Golden Rain Tree Distribution in FloridaFlorida

ImpactsImpacts•• Category II invasive species (FLEPPC)Category II invasive species (FLEPPC)

–– Not been shown to spread into undisturbed Not been shown to spread into undisturbed sitessites

•• Readily establishes, fast growthReadily establishes, fast growth•• Increased seed viability in warmer Increased seed viability in warmer

climatesclimates

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant•• Generally 20 to Generally 20 to

40 feet in height, 40 feet in height, •• Bark is furrowed Bark is furrowed

lengthlength--wise, with wise, with a corky a corky appearanceappearance

•• Seedlings Seedlings resemble native resemble native sumacsumac

LeavesLeaves•• Alternate arrangement Alternate arrangement

on stemon stem•• BipinnatelyBipinnately compoundcompound

–– Multiple leaflets Multiple leaflets each containing several each containing several leafletsleaflets

•• Ovate to oblong in Ovate to oblong in shapeshape

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit•• Pale to bright yellowPale to bright yellow

–– 12 to 20 inches long12 to 20 inches long•• Densely pubescentDensely pubescent•• Fruit is pink, oval Fruit is pink, oval

shape, 1shape, 1--3 inches 3 inches •• Papery capsulePapery capsule•• Small, black seedsSmall, black seeds

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCulturalMechanicalMechanicalBiologicalBiologicalChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental2.2. Remove existing plants, targeting Remove existing plants, targeting

larger more mature trees first to larger more mature trees first to reduce seedreduce seed

3.3. Avoid use of possibly contaminated Avoid use of possibly contaminated mulch with seedsmulch with seeds

4.4. Rouge out trees in abandoned areasRouge out trees in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace golden rain treereplace golden rain tree2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners

about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this tree and proper identificationthis tree and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for golden rain tree agents available for golden rain tree management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsresprouts2.2. Cut tree down at ground levelCut tree down at ground level3.3. Girdling is effective for large treesGirdling is effective for large trees

Cut through bark approximately 6 inches Cut through bark approximately 6 inches above the ground, encircling tree baseabove the ground, encircling tree base

4.4. Mowing is effective on small saplings Mowing is effective on small saplings and and resproutsresprouts, but must be repeated, but must be repeated

Chemical Chemical -- FoliarFoliar1.1. OverOver--thethe--top applications for top applications for

seedlings, seedlings, resproutsresprouts and small treesand small trees2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide

Triclopyr Triclopyr –– 2% solution2% solutionGlyphosate Glyphosate –– 2 to 3% solution2 to 3% solutionUse surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25%

3.3. Best results applied July to OctoberBest results applied July to October

Chemical Chemical -- BasalBasal1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species2.2. Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal

oiloil3.3. Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on

tree trunktree trunk4.4. Wet thoroughly for good control, spray Wet thoroughly for good control, spray

until rununtil run--off is noticeable at ground lineoff is noticeable at ground line

Chemical Chemical –– Cut StumpCut Stump1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species2.2. Cut trunks/stems Cut trunks/stems horizonallyhorizonally at or near at or near

ground levelground level3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or

triclopyrtriclopyr4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump5.5. Marker (blue) dye is helpful Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com• University of Florida Center for Aquatic

and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien

Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

Useful LinksUseful Links• Gilman, E.F. and D.G. Watson. 1993.

Koelreuteria elegans: Flamegold. Fact Sheet ENH-496, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_ST337