Yellowwood, Bare Root

Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)

Yellowwood is a beautiful native tree known for its cascading clusters of fragrant white flowers, smooth gray bark, and brilliant yellow fall foliage. This elegant, medium-sized tree brings multi-season interest to landscapes and is especially prized for its spring flower display and delicate, vase-shaped form. Yellowwood is well-suited for parks, large gardens, and native plantings, where it provides valuable habitat and seasonal beauty. With its graceful branching and high tolerance for various soil types, Yellowwood is a versatile and relatively low-maintenance choice for landscapes seeking both ornamental and ecological value.

Key Characteristics

• Showy, Fragrant Spring Blooms: In late spring to early summer, Yellowwood produces stunning, pendulous clusters of pea-like white flowers with a sweet fragrance, attracting bees and butterflies. These showy blooms create a striking display and make Yellowwood a beautiful focal point in the landscape.

• Brilliant Fall Foliage: As autumn approaches, the leaves turn a vivid yellow, adding warm seasonal color to the landscape. This bright foliage, combined with its smooth, light-gray bark, provides visual interest through multiple seasons.

• Wildlife Habitat and Pollinator Support: Yellowwood’s blossoms are an excellent nectar source for pollinators, especially bees. Its branching structure also offers cover and shelter for birds, adding ecological support to pollinator gardens and native plant landscapes.

• Adaptable and Tolerant of Various Soils: Yellowwood thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils. It grows best in full sun to part shade, making it a versatile choice for mixed landscapes, garden borders, and larger open spaces.

• Low Maintenance and Long-Lived: This tree is generally disease-resistant and requires minimal care once established. Its longevity and relatively slow growth rate make it a low-maintenance choice for home gardens, parks, and urban green spaces.

Product Details

• Native Range: Southeastern United States
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loamy, and slightly acidic soils
• Mature Height: 30-50 feet
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Bloom Color: White
• Fall Color: Yellow
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Yellowwood’s beautiful blooms, vibrant fall color, and low-maintenance nature make it an ideal tree for ornamental plantings, naturalized areas, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.