All About the 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.
Climate Quick Facts:
Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one yellowwood will:
- Sequester ~934 pounds of CO2.
- Reduce stormwater runoff by 226 gallons.