Plant Doctor: Don't covet those yellow flowering trees

Question: We have recently noticed a number of yellow flowering trees in older neighborhoods. What are they and where are they available?

Answer: You have spotted the golden rain trees producing large spikes of yellow blossoms followed by pink seed pods. Regretfully, no matter how attractive the trees might be, they are very prolific and discouraged from planting in newer neighborhoods. They are listed with the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as a Category II invasive. It is doubtful you can find them at local garden centers. Golden rain trees in older neighborhoods were likely started from seeds disbursed by wildlife and continue to spread in these locations. The trees have their good points — in that they survive under varying soil conditions. But they also have a pest called the j