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American Yellowwood

Cladrastis lutea

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American Yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea) at Minor's Garden Center

American Yellowwood in fall

American Yellowwood in fall

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

American Yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea) at Minor's Garden Center

American Yellowwood flowers

American Yellowwood flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

American Yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea) at Minor's Garden Center

American Yellowwood in bloom

American Yellowwood in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  45 feet

Spread:  45 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Other Names:  Yellowwood, C. kentukea, C. tinctoria

Description:

A beautiful but somewhat fussy small tree with very show cascading panicles of white flowers in spring, good habit of growth all year round; makes an ideal accent or shade tree for smaller properties; tends to flower profusely every second year

Ornamental Features

American Yellowwood is blanketed in stunning panicles of fragrant white pea-like flowers hanging below the branches from mid to late spring. It has light green deciduous foliage which emerges chartreuse in spring. The compound leaves turn yellow in fall. The smooth silver bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

American Yellowwood is an open deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

American Yellowwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Shade

Planting & Growing

American Yellowwood will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 45 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is native to parts of North America.

Sizes Available:

5' $99.99

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Accent  Shade 
Applications
Flowers  Bark  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features