Cladrastris kentukea (C. lutea)
![Yellowwood tree (Cladrastis kentukea [C. lutea]) as a street tree in an urban setting](https://urbanforestnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/profileamericanyellowwood2-1024x908.jpg)
There are few large trees with as spectacular a show of flowers as the Yellowwood. Fragrant creamy white flowers cascade in pendulous, 8″ to 14″ long panicles in May and June, and are followed by small light brown pods. When in flower, the tree is quite spectacular! Leaves are unusual, alternate, pinnately compound, and emerge a light green with fine hairs rather late in the spring. Apparently, the common name comes from the yellow heartwood when freshly cut. Add to that the very smooth, beech-like bark and bright fall yellow color, and it is hard to find reason not to like it.
Growing the Yellowwood as a nursery tree is not a simple task. It prefers to grow rather crooked, or multi-leadered, and with a rather unbalanced crown. In other words, growing matching yellowwoods is a challenge if one is looking for a uniform street tree form. It can be done, but only with extra care, time and effort, proper staking, and timely pruning. But hey, why should all trees have perfect form? With so many other great qualities, the Yellowwood should be in higher demand.
![Yellowwood tree (Cladrastis kentukea [C. lutea]) planted in a park setting](https://urbanforestnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/profileamericanyellowwood-1024x937.jpg)
The literature indicates that the tree will tolerate a wide pH range. It is also recommended that the tree be pruned only in summer, as the tree bleeds profusely if pruned in winter or spring. Poor crotches can also develop, so try to select those with the widest branch angles if possible. There are few if any disease or insect problems.
A relative to watch out for is the cultivar, ‘Rosea’, with beautiful pink flowers. Add the Yellowwood, native to North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee to your must plant tree list.
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Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
Still curious how Yellowwood performs in landscapes or urban planting?
Here are some common questions we hear from people considering this tree:
Yellowwood typically reaches about 30 to 50 feet tall with a similarly broad spread, making it a medium‑sized tree in landscape settings. Its growth rate is generally moderate, establishing steadily over time without being overly vigorous.
Yellowwood is best known for its spectacular, fragrant white flowers in late spring that hang in long clusters, and its smooth, beech‑like bark. Its compound leaves turn bright yellow in fall, providing attractive seasonal interest. Jim notes its uncommon structure and the extra care needed to encourage a balanced form.
Yellowwood works well as a specimen tree or in larger planting strips where it has room to develop a broad crown. It’s less commonly used in tight hellstrips due to its width potential, though in wide urban spaces or larger boulevards it provides excellent presence and seasonal interest.
Yes — in addition to its striking spring blossoms, Yellowwood’s pinnately compound leaves emerge bright green and turn clear yellow in the fall, creating a vibrant seasonal display.
Jim points out that Yellowwood can grow with crooked or multi‑leadered form, so proper staking and timely pruning help develop a good structure. It tolerates a range of soil pH and generally has few disease or insect problems, but pruning should be done in summer to avoid bleeding.