Yellowwood

Yellowwood

Cladrastis kentuckea

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲ mature tree

▲ ▼ smooth, gray bark

▲ fall color, and leaf scar that encircles bud

▲ leaves

Location on campus: at south entrances to Glass Hall

Cladrastis kentuckea (formerly Cladrastis lutea): American Yellowwood

• leaves deciduous, alternate, pinnately compound with leaflets alternate on rachis with 7-9 leaflets; leaflets ovate and 3" long and 2 as wide; bright green in color in summer and yellow fall color; lateral buds enclosed in base of leaf petioles
• stems slender, zig-zag, reddish brown with glaucous coating; inner bark yellow
• bark is thin, smooth, gray even on older trees
• grows 30-50' tall and wide, somewhate vase-shaped with spreading branches
• flowers are showy and white in terminal pendulus panicles in mid to late spring; fruit is a tan to brown pod
• prefers full sun and well-drained soil; can tolerate wide pH ranges
• medium to fast growth rate
• native to Missouri
• Landscape uses of yellowwood:
  • Medium to large shade tree; specimen tree when in flower
  • Good for dry soil sites, xeriscapes, native landscapes
  • Smooth, dark-gray bark interesting color/texture