Golden rain - Laburnum anagyroides

Description and Uses

Laburnum anagyroides (Golden rain) is a temperate tree from North West Europe. It is mainly grown for its timber crops (medium shelflife), The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 4 - 8 years. The tree`s wood is called Golden rain wood and has a density of 750 - 790 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is medium, its energetic value is 4750 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 15 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Laburnum anagyroides has a lifespan of 20 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 7 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Laburnum anagyroides has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Microbacteriaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Laburnum anagyroides is deciduous in winter and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Laburnum anagyroides thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1100 meters above sea-level (temperate). The minimum temperature is -25°C and optimally between 15 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 1300 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 550 - 1500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is intolerant to wind 4 and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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