Kentucky Yellowwood

(Cladrastis kentukea)

Kentucky Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Cladrastis kentukea, commonly known as Kentucky Yellowwood, is a deciduous tree native to the limestone soils of the Appalachian Mountains, the Ozarks, and the South Central U.S., including parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and adjacent states. It is a small to medium-sized tree typically growing 10–15 meters (33–49 ft) tall, with a broad, rounded crown and smooth gray bark. The tree is noted for its panicles of fragrant, white flowers resembling those of Wisteria, which bloom in early summer (June in its native region). Flowering is variable, with heavy blooms occurring every second or third year. The fruit is a pod 5–8 cm long, containing 2-6 seeds. In cultivation, Kentucky Yellowwood is valued for its showy flowers, bright yellow fall foliage, and its ability to adapt to urban conditions. It is used in gardens and parks as a specimen tree or for border planting and provides habitat and food for birds. The tree prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it thrives in well-drained soil, adapting to both high pH and acidic conditions. It requires low to medium water once established and is relatively low maintenance. However, it can have weak wood and may suffer from storm damage. The tree’s tendency to form multiple trunks can be managed with proper pruning.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 30-50 feet
Width: 40-55 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Limestone soils of the Appalachian Mountains and the Ozarks, early summer (June) flowering, bright yellow fall foliage, urban adaptability, specimen tree and border planting, weak wood and storm damage, pruning requirement for multiple trunks

Other Names

Common Names: Yellowwood , Kentucky Yellow-Wood , Virgilia , Yellow-Wood , Yellow Wood , American Yellowwood , Kentucky-Gelbholz , Cladraste À Bois Jaune , Virgilier Jaune , Virgilier À Bois Jaune

Scientific Names: Cladrastis kentukea , Cladrastis lutea , Cladrastis tinctoria , Virgilia lutea , Virgilia fragilis , Cladrastis lutea f. tomentosa , Cladrastis fragrans , Sophora kentukea , Virgilia alba , Cladrastis albiflora

GBIF Accepted Name: Cladrastis kentukea (Dum.Cours.) Rudd