Exploring the Different Laburnum Tree Varieties

Laburnum trees come in a variety of species, each with its own unique characteristics. The most common species is Laburnum anagyroides, also known as the common laburnum or golden chain tree.

This species is known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer, creating a stunning display of color. The flowers are arranged in long, drooping chains that can reach up to 3 feet in length.

Laburnum x watereri, also known as the voss's golden chain, is a hybrid species that is often used in gardens and landscapes. It is known for its vibrant yellow flowers and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.

For more insights, see: Common Purple Lilac Tree

Laburnum is a deciduous tree that belongs to the pea family. It's native to Central and South Europe and grows in colder climates, typically in mountains and on slopes.

Laburnum requires well-drained, light soil and plenty of sunlight to thrive. It's often cultivated as an ornamental plant and valued for its high-quality wood.

Laburnum grows to an average height of 23 feet. Its trunk is multi-branched and starts to branch from the base, with smooth grey or olive-green bark.

The tree's trifoliate leaves are composed of three leaflets with long leaf-stalks. They're alternately arranged on the branches and have a distinctive grey-green color on top and a whitish underside due to silky, white hairs.

Laburnum produces bright yellow flowers in dense, drooping inflorescences called racemes. In some parts of the world, it's planted in dense rows to create ornamental floral archways during the spring.

Laburnum is also known as the "golden chain tree" and "golden rain" due to its beautiful, densely packed yellow pendulous flowers.

Laburnum blooms from May to June, but insects are responsible for pollination, not the flowers' own reproductive organs.

The fruit of laburnum is a brown pod that looks like a pea pod and appears at the beginning of autumn, remaining on the tree during winter.

Laburnum can be propagated via seed and grafting, making it a versatile tree for cultivation.

Here are some key facts about Laburnum at a glance:

All parts of laburnum contain a toxic substance called cytisine, which can cause fatal poisoning in humans and animals if ingested.

Laburnum is clearly classified as poisonous. The poisonous alkaloid cytisine is contained in the whole plant, including the seeds, leaves, and flowers.

The lethal dose for children is about 10 to 15 seeds, while for adults it's around 15 to 20 seeds. The toxin levels can fluctuate depending on the season.

Ingesting parts of the plant can cause symptoms like gastrointestinal complaints, vomiting, irritated mucous membranes, seizures, and circulatory problems. If a lethal dose is ingested, paralysis of the entire body may occur, resulting in death from respiratory paralysis.

Laburnum is toxic to mammals, including dogs and cats, and to birds. The lethal dose for dogs is around 2 to 7g per kilogram of body weight.

Cats tend to have fatal consequences from ingesting as little as 2 to 4g of the seeds per kilogram.

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Laburnum can be a challenging plant to get rid of, but it's doable with the right approach. If you're dealing with smaller specimens, you can dig them up with a spade.

Laburnum has shallow roots, making it easier to remove smaller plants. This method is effective, but it's essential to be thorough to avoid leaving any roots behind.

If the laburnum has grown into a small tree, you'll likely need to use heavy machinery to get rid of it and its roots. This is because the roots of a mature laburnum tree can be extensive and difficult to remove manually.

Laburnum hybrids are a fascinating aspect of the plant's diversity. The UK is home to a natural hybrid of Laburnum and Purple Broom, known as L. watereri.

This hybrid, L. watereri, is a result of the natural mixing of the two species. It's a unique and beautiful sight to see Laburnum racemes alongside Purple Broom flowers on the same branch.

A different take: Purple Leaf Ornamental Trees

L Alpinum is also known as 'Scotch laburnum' or 'Scottish laburnum', but not because it's 'Scottish' in origin.

The Scots valued its wood, particularly its heartwood, for making bagpipes, which is why they adopted the tree.

Its wood is highly prized for its durability and resistance to decay, making it an excellent choice for crafting musical instruments.

The Scots have continued to value L Alpinum's wood for centuries, and it remains a popular choice for making bagpipes today.

This variety of laburnum is often preferred over others due to its unique characteristics and uses.

L. alpinum 'Pendulum' is a dwarf variety that reaches an ultimate height and spread of only 1.5-2.5m, making it a great choice for small gardens.

Its pendulous branches create a stunning "dangling gold chain" effect when the tree is in bloom, and the "weeping" boughs move beautifully in the wind.

This variety is so named because of its unique branch structure, which adds to its charm and visual interest.

L. alpinum 'Pendulum' is a great option for gardeners who want a compact Laburnum tree that still packs a punch in terms of beauty and flowering power.