pea-tree, Caragana arborescens

Here we go again? Is this central Asian tree going to be another one of our invasive inspirations? Maybe not. Pea-tree was introduced by invading Europeans as they moved westward. The seeds were eaten much like peas. More recently it has been planted in wind rows or ornamental gardens. But it does not seem to be quite as aggressive as some other small trees we have used in similar ways. Pea-tree is now wild in AK, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY, AB, BC, MB, NB, NT, ON, QC, SK, and YT. Summit Co CO, 6/19/13. Bean family, Fabaceae.