General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 6a -23.3 °C (-10 °F) to -20.6 °C (-5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 8b
Plant Height: 20 feet
Plant Spread: 15 feet
Leaves: Deciduous
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Suitable Locations: Espalier
Uses: Flowering Tree
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Toxicity: Fruit is poisonous
Other: Both blooms and seeds are highly poisonous.

Image
Common names
  • Goldenchain Tree
  • Bean Tree
  • Waterer Laburnum

Photo Gallery
Location: Central NJ, Zone 7A
Date: 05/20/2018
A Visual Treasure — The Golden Chain Tree
Uploaded by jerseyridgearts
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: May 15, 2012 
Al's Garden Center, Woodburn, Oregon
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: May 15, 2012 
Al's Garden Center, Woodburn, Oregon
Uploaded by MaryDurtschi
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2014-05-15
Uploaded by SpringGreenThumb
Location: My garden in Aurora, Ontario zone 5b
Date: 2015-06-06
Location: My garden in Aurora, Ontario zone 5b
Date: 2015-06-06
My golden chain tree seems to not mind my zone 5b garden, even th
Comments:
  • Posted by Bonehead (Planet Earth - Zone 8b) on May 24, 2016 11:29 AM concerning plant:
    Provides food for the larvae of Lepidoptera. It does sucker, but not too badly for me - mostly coming from the base of the trunk rather than the surrounding soil, so easy enough to just trim off with clippers. Nice bright yellow in early spring.
  • Posted by valleylynn (Oregon City, OR - Zone 8b) on May 22, 2012 10:43 AM concerning plant:
    Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment.

    Perfect for small city gardens, country fenced yards or in the mountains, where it will stand out brightly in dark piney forests.

    Golden Chain Tree is best grown where summers are cooler and moist.

    This tree is a hybrid of L. alpinium and L anagyroides, both species of southern Europe. The flowers indicate its presence in the Pea family, the genus conferred by Fredrich Medicus, 1736-1808, from the original Latin vernacular.
  • Posted by Skiekitty (Denver Metro - Zone 5a) on Apr 14, 2014 11:06 AM concerning plant:
    Not overly happy with this tree. Sends out a TON of suckers from the base. No matter how fast you cut them, it sends out more! Doesn't seem to want to grow tall. Mine's 4 years old this year and hasn't grown a foot yet. Flowers are very nice, but I would not recommend this for a shade tree. Survives zone 5 winters ok.

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