Six years ago we had a tree planted that had yellow blooms. We were told it was the golden shower tree. It never bloomed again until last year with only one bloom. I see what I think are flower buds at this time but they haven't opened. I'm just not sure if it is the rain tree or the shower tree. It has a lacy looking leaf. In this area this year there have been trees all over the place blooming yellow, but not mine. I don't know what time of the year each one is supposed to bloom and it seems sort of late (it is the middle of aug.) for them to bloom. Does anyone know what kind of tree I have and when will it bloom?

Could you please post some photos?

Golden Rain Tree usually blooms in the fall. Unfortunately, it is also a Category II invasive. Read the article here to see if this is the plant you have: http://www.ocala.com/article/2...

Mellielong, the article on the golden rain tree was informative. However when my tree had it's lone bloom last year it did not turn pink after blooming yellow. I'm eager to see if it flowers in the fall as you stated. The spiky things that I think are buds and are on it now show no signs of opening, but maybe they will in the fall. Thank you for your reply. I would like to know more about the golden shower tree also.

At least you're in the right time of year to know what it is. They really stick out when you're driving around town in the fall. You should be able to compare yours to others in the area pretty soon.

From your description of a lacy look, it could very well be Golden Shower tree which I haven't heard of causing problems. I think this one usually blooms during the summer months so if this is your tree, location or perhaps lack of nutrients could be the problem:
Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula)
http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/G...


If you you have the Golden Rain Tree, it is listed as a Category II exotic pest. This one blooms in the fall:
Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria elegans)
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/nod...
Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st338

I see many K. elegans growing around central Florida. I have a large one in my yard; it was here when we bought the house four years ago and although it is a beautiful tree, it's a huge pest ... thousands of little seedlings pop up in flower beds, in the lawn (which can be kept in check with mowing) and in my container plants! We'd have to get special permission from our HOA as well as a permit from the city to remove it

Thanks Mellielong and Plantladylin for the info.

Lin, the city would make you take out a permit? That's so odd. In Hillsborough County, you can take out a tree on the invasive list no matter the size. They even have a list of the trees on the county website. My dad and his woodturner friends salvage wood for their hobby so they know a lot about which trees you can take down. And some of the invasives make for good turning wood, like Camphor. Don't get me started on HOAs!