American yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea
MBG Plant of Merit 2010
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size30 to 50 feet tall40 to 55 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
American yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) is a tree for specimen planting, low maintenance gardens, and winter interest. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or chalky soil. Foot-long spikes of cream-colored flowers appear in quantity only two or three times a decade. The bark is smooth and beech-like, and the fall color is orange or yellow. Prune weak branch forks, but not in spring.
Pairs well with American persimmon, Mountain laurel, and Big bluestem.
Native range
North America.