Golden Ball Lead Tree | Leucaena retusa

Scientific Name

Leucaena retusa

Common Name

Golden Ball Lead Tree, Littleleaf Leucaena, Littleleaf Lead Tree

Photo of Leucaena retusa.
Tree Description

Leucaena retusa, golden ball lead tree, is a small deciduous tree with bold yellow flowers, brown legume fruits, and an overall vase shape. It is known to have weaker wood that leaves the branches vulnerable to snapping. The tree grows well in rocky, well-drained soil and requires low water.

Tree Size
Small
Height at Maturity
10ft–20ft
Width at Maturity
15ft–20ft
Growth Rate
12-36 inches/year
Foliage Type
Deciduous
Sun Exposure
Sun
Part-Shade
Water Needs
Low Water
Potential Issues

Branches susceptible to breakage.

Average performance rating from pre-trial survey of experts
Excellent
Field Trial Monitoring Results

Good potential utility as an urban tree based on evaluation of 13 trees, healthy crown, 100% survival, fast growth rate. Branch dieback on a few individuals and signs of water stress. Several field trial plants have been flowering and fruiting.

Propagation Results

Almost all of the seed collected from two individuals was damaged with insect exit wounds. All seed was sown fresh, immediately in the greenhouse and had poor germination. Seedlings are slow growing.

Additional Images
Photo of Leucaena retusa.