Koelreuteria bipinnata ‘Yonatan’

Koelreuteria bipinnata is one of the most popular and successful street trees in Israel. It is easy to grow, grows quickly and gives shade in summer. So that its placement alongside streets is a success, care must be taken to professionally prune it to elevate the crown in its early years. In fall, the tree grows prominent yellow flowers at the ends of its branches. Interestingly, yellow dye can be produced from these flowers. When the flowers fall, they form a yellow carpet beneath the tree. The flowers become very decorative pink-red fruits that are delicate with the texture of paper that strongly resemble Bougainvillea flowers, which is why it is sometimes called a “Bougainvillea golden-rain tree.”

The mature tree’s canopy shape is completely asymmetrical, but its appearance is vase-shaped and attractive. Due to its rapid growth rate in part, Koelreuteria is not considered to be a durable tree. It has the potential to break, so care must be taken to shape it in its first years to make sure that the structure is balanced and that no branch angles are too acute. Care must be taken to apply pruning sealer after significant pruning. Koelreuteria is especially sensitive to excess water, which results in chlorotic leaves. Neglecting this problem will weaken the tree, harm its ability to continue growing and actually cause it to atrophy, expose it to harm from pests and eventually lead to the collapse of the tree.

Koelreuteria bipinnata ‘Yonatan’ is an improved and resistant cultivar, which was developed by Itai and is exclusive to Ilan Nursery. This cultivar is extremely resistant, less sensitive to chlorosis, and has a higher growth capacity and is more compact, which makes designing easier and simple.

This cultivar’s apical dominance is preferable, and it creates a more attractive canopy form. The tree’s flowers and fruits stand out above the top of the tree in spectacular and eye-catching shows in the fall. This is one of the leading, most requested and most sold trees in the nursery, and not for nothing.

Koelreuteria bipinnata (the non-grafted cultivar) »