A very underused native that will fool some into thinking it is an exotic beauty! Medium sized tree, good for small areas, rich pea-green compound leaves with soft golden yellow fall color. The breathtaking, fragrant, creamy-white flowers occur in May on pendulous 8-14″ long panicles. Rarely heavily flowers annually, usually alternate flowering. The bark is very smooth and gray.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Gold
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data


Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Moderate

Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
30 to
60
feet
Spread:
40 to
55
feet
Size
Height: 30 to
60
feet
Spread: 40 to
55
feet
Size
Height: 30 to
60
feet
Spread: 40 to
55
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Root bark was used as a primary dye in Appalachia. Wood was prized for gunstocks. An excellent specimen tree.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Full sun or partial shade, moist and well drained soil is appropriate. Grows well in alkaline soils.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Fragrant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.