If it is actually sprouting off the trunk, it has no roots and probably won't grow any. Just cut, or pull, it off, before it gets any bigger. If you really want a cutting, I think you can Google for timing and method - or plant a few seeds in the fall/late summer.

I can't tell you where to get them (I'm waaaaaay far from you), but I do have half a dozen or more of them in my yard, so I can tell you a little about them. They are gorgeous right now, as they make a stunning curtain of yellow in that part of the yard. The spent flowers (no longer golden chain: think grey chain) are a bit ugly - on my trees anyway, they stay on the tree (last year's are still there while this year's have almost hit full bloom). I've read tips like "remove seed pods" (they are poisonous), but these trees are BIG, so there will be no removing seed pods for me. The seeds that do drop sprout up everywhere (the way wee maple seedlings do), but are easily dealt with by mowing the lawn or plucking from the garden.

Thanks guys. One further question - most sites say this requires neutral to alkaline soil. How in the world could I achieve that anytime soon. Perhaps I could plant it completely in Mr. Natural. QQ, this cracked me up: " Too much thinking, not enough planting."Very well said. My son in law kind of scoffs when I ask him about where I might find a ............... whatever, sounds great plant. He's looking at it as an operator of a landscape company - doesn't use the unusual because of supply problems if replacement is required. I'll report how the laburnum works here. Just have to haul myself to Suwanee in the next couple of days. Again, thanks. Would have responded sooner but not getting notification of postings for some reason. Rosie in Sugar Hill

I bought a Golden Chain Tree this spring from a vendor on ebay.(Laburnum alpinum - Alpine Golden Chain Tree, Scotch Laburnum Zone: 4-7) The tiny tree was very healthy, 2 feet tall, came in a small pot. oregongrownnursery was the name of the ebay vendor. It was still too early to plant outside, so I left it in an east facing window for a couple of weeks. It grew another 4 inches in height during that time. I picked a spot on the east side of the house that gets full sun, but the house shelters it from the worst of our winter western winds. After I planted it, the leaves turned brown and shriveled, but the tiny trunk was still green, so I just kept it watered. Just transplant shock, I guess. A month later it started spitting out new leaves and growing in height again. It's now the middle of September and the tree is over 3 foot tall and very happy. Since it's still a baby, I plan to surround it with a chicken wire cage and fill the cage with scrub oak leaves, once it goes into dormancy, just like I protect my rose. Not to protect it from the cold, but sun scald and drying wind. I'm hoping that this will help keep it dormant until next spring. Keeping my fingers crossed. Here is a link I found from Lazy S Farm Nursery, with more info: http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Shrubs/J-L%20Shrubs/shrubs_trees_J-L.htm#SHRU15100