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Chinese Flame Tree

Deciduous, medium-sized round-headed tree. Native to China.

Scientific Name:
Koelreuteria bipinnata
Mature Height:
20 - 40'
Mature Spread:
20 - 35'
Leaves:
Alternate, bipinnately compound; 2 - 4" leaflets, hold onto tree until December. Turn yellowish before dropping.
Flowers:
Showy flower clusters to 15" long of small yellow flowers from late summer to early fall.
Fruit:
Capsules up to 2" long, pink, salmon, red, then brown in large clusters containing small seeds.
Root System:
Roots deep, not invasive.
Growth Rate:
Moderate - fast growth.
Cultural Notes:
Well drained soils, infrequent watering, drought tolerant.
Sacramento Specimen:
Arden Fair Mall, south of buildings, in parking lot.
>Northgate Park, near tennis courts near Brewerton Drive.

Minimum Planting Distances

  • from SMUD pad mounted equipment (such as a transformer mounted on a concrete pad): 8 feet
  • from a building foundation: 10 feet
  • from walks and driveways: 6 feet
  • from an air conditioner: 6 feet
  • from a fence: 6 feet
  • from a utility offset (such as an underground line, pipe or cable): 6 feet
  • from a utility overhead (such as an overhead power line): 20 feet
  • from a swimming pool: 12 feet
  • from a septic system: 20 feet
  • between trees*: 18 feet

* To calculate the planting distance between different size trees, add the distances between each species in the column and divide answer in half. Example: the distance between a Red Maple (large tree) and Amur Maple (small tree) is calculated: 25 feet + 15 feet = 40 feet ÷ 2 = 20 feet. The distance between these two different size trees should be 20 feet.