Yellowwood

Scientific Nomenclature: Cladrastis kentukea

Common Names: yellowwood, Kentucky yellowwood, American yellowwood, virgilia

Mature Height: 30–50 feet

Mature Spread: 40–50 feet

Growth Rate: Moderate

Attracts Wildlife: Birds and pollinators

Messiness: Flowers bloom in spring, usually once every 2–3 years. Flowers that do not drop in the spring become long, flat pods during summer and drop in early autumn. Leaves drop in autumn as well.

Shape: Vase-shaped

Native to Kentucky: Yes

Preferred Soils: Prefers moist loam and sand with good drainage. Yellowwoods are tolerant of a range of soil pHs from acidic (<6.0pH) to alkaline (>8.0pH).

Screening: Not used as a screening or privacy tree.

Drought Tolerance: Becomes drought tolerant once well established.

Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous

Pruning: Corrective pruning is often necessary throughout its life to eliminate weak branch forks. Prune this tree only in the summer to prevent it from bleeding.

Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one yellowwood will:

• Sequester ~934 pounds of CO2.
• Reduce stormwater runoff by 226 gallons.