Chinese Flame Tree

Koelreuteria bipinnata (kol-ru-TEE-ree-ah by-pin-NAY-tuh)

Family: Sapindaceae Non-native Canopy (>40 ft)

Chinese flame tree is a small- to medium-sized, flowering tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae), native to East Asia, from southern China to Vietnam. It is less common in cultivation than its congener, the golden rain tree , Koelreuteria paniculata . The genus name, Koelreuteria , honors Joseph Gottlieb Koelreuter, a German professor of botany who experimented with plant hybridization in the 18th century. The species epithet is Latin for "twice pinnate," which describes the condition of the leaf. Chinese flame tree does well in alkaline soil with good drainage but tolerates a range of soil types including nutritionally poor soil, clay, sand and loam. The tree does require full sun but not a lot of watering. It will tolerate heat, wind, air pollution, salt spray and drought. It is a moderate to fast grower. Chinese flame tree has an irregular form, a spreading crown, and is often multi-stemmed. It flowers at an early age and is one of the few flowering trees that bloom in the summer. The leaves are green in summer but turn an almost transparent yellow in fall. The seed pods dry well if cut in the pink stage. Chinese Flame Tree is a long-lived tree with some specimens lasting 150 years. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer. Branches bend down somewhat as the tree grows and can break due to poor collar formation. Prune to build a strong branching structure and a single stem. Grow this species in an Asian garden, pollinator garden or sensory garden (for the fragrant flowers and the unusual shape and texture of the fruits). It makes a fine specimen, accent or shade tree. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect pests. The tree is considered a weak-wooded tree.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 56 attributes.