Golden Chain Tree Plant Care

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum watereri) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Laburnum genus. Golden Chain Tree is native to Central Europe. Golden Chain Tree is also known as Golden Rain Tree.

Golden Chain Tree displays a small tree, upright growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Golden Chain Tree produces golden yellow pea-like flowers in pendulous racemes.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Golden Chain Tree every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Golden Chain Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Laburnum watereri tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Golden Chain Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Golden Chain Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Golden Chain Tree every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Golden Chain Tree is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Golden Chain Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Golden Chain Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Golden Chain Tree is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Golden Chain Tree can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine laburnum plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Golden Chain Tree is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Golden Chain Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Golden Chain Tree is native to Central Europe. In cooler regions, grow Golden Chain Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.