Cladrastis kentukea

Common Names

American Yellowwood, Kentucky Yellowwood, Yellowwood, Virgilia, Gopherwood

Summary

American Yellowwood is a native southeastern United States deciduous tree with an open, vase-shaped crown and smooth gray bark, typically reaching 30–50 ft tall and 40–55 ft wide, it bears pinnately compound leaves that turn yellow in autumn and, in late spring to early summer, pendulous panicles of fragrant white flowers, followed by brown seed pods, bright yellow heartwood gives rise to the common name, it thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH from acidic to alkaline, hardiness is typically listed as USDA zones 4A–8B, a deep root system supports drought tolerance but can complicate transplanting, provide regular moisture during establishment and mulch around the base (2–3 inches), pruning is best done in summer after flowering to prevent sap bleed, avoid winter or spring pruning, use as a shade or specimen tree in lawns, group plantings, or larger landscapes, flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and propagation is possible by seed or cuttings, with a pink-flowered cultivar existing.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-50 feet

Spread

40-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Tolerates a wide range of soil types.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green, turning yellow in autumn.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to golden-yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium growth rate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds