Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkins Pink') is a medium-sized deciduous tree from the legume family, native to the southeastern United States, that earns its common name from its golden fall foliage and pale yellow heartwood. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, this tree typically reaches 30 to 50 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown and upright branching structure. In late spring, fragrant panicles of white flowers drape the canopy before the compound foliage unfolds, followed by showy seed pods that extend the tree's visual interest well into autumn. Its moderate water needs and low maintenance requirements, combined with its ability to serve as both a striking specimen and a reliable shade tree, make it an exceptional choice for gardens where year-round presence matters.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-8
600in H x 600in W
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Moderate
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Fragrant spring flowers arrive in May through June in dense, drooping panicles that perfume the surrounding air, making this tree a sensory experience as much as a visual one. The pinnately compound foliage transitions brilliantly to golden yellow in fall, while the characteristic pale yellow wood visible in pruning wounds inspired the common name that gardeners have treasured for generations. Branching is naturally upright and graceful, creating a broad crown that provides substantial shade without the density of many other shade trees. Once established, yellowwood tolerates dry soils remarkably well, rewarding patient gardeners with a low-maintenance tree that improves with age.
Yellowwood thrives as an ornamental flowering tree, particularly valued for spring bloom and autumn color in residential landscapes and parks. Its moderate mature size and broad crown make it well-suited for use as a shade tree in medium to large gardens, while its attractive form and seasonal interest recommend it for street tree plantings where space allows. The fragrant flowers appeal to pollinators, and the showy seed pods extend visual interest beyond the bloom season, making it a tree that earns its place through multiple seasons.
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Prune yellowwood only in summer, as late winter or spring pruning causes excessive bleeding from the wood. Remove any branches damaged by winter weather or heavy snow once growing season is underway. Avoid creating large open wounds, and understand that the naturally upright branching structure rarely requires major pruning beyond removal of dead or crossing branches.
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“American yellowwood is native to scattered locations in the southeastern United States, particularly in the Ozark region where it grows along the White River and its tributaries in Missouri. Though common in its native habitat, the species has never achieved the widespread cultivation of other American shade trees, remaining a hidden gem in cultivation despite its ornamental virtues. This relative rarity in gardens may be partly due to its somewhat unpredictable flowering habit and its specific requirements for protection from harsh weather, but those who understand its needs have long prized it as a distinctive native tree.”