Life Form:

Deciduous tree

Average Height:

30-50'

Bark Characteristics:

Brown, smooth

Bloom Characteristics:

Wisteria-like, drooping, terminal panicles. 10-15" long. Very fragrant. Blooms heavily every 2-5 years.

Fall Color:

Yellow

Foliage Characteristics:

Odd, pinnate compound ovate leaves in an alternate arrangment with entire margins. 7-11 leaflets make up each leaf, with each leaflet being 2-4" long. Leaves start yellow green and mature to bright green.

Fruit Characteristics:

Flat seed pods mature in September to October. 2.5-4" long.

Structure:

Round, vase shaped

Range:

SE US

Habitat:

Full sun to part shade, medium to well-drained soil

Description:

This native tree gets its name from the yellow color of its heartwood, which can even yield a yellow dye. Yellowwood also produces beautiful white flowers in the early summer.

This tree is Endangered in Illinois, and Threatened in Indiana.

Hardiness:

-30 - 20 F

Bloom Time:

May to June

Provenance:

From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Topic:

Trees  Search this

Living Collections  Search this

Common Name:

yellowwood

Kentucky yellowwood

yellow ash

virgilia

Group:

[vascular plants]

Class:

Equisetopsida

Subclass:

Magnoliidae

Superorder:

Rosanae

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Cladrastis

Species:

kentukea

Accession Number:

2011-2954A

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection

Data Source:

Smithsonian Gardens

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax70de46da9-531a-4f80-a0c6-4ebdbbf762a2

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:ofeo-sg_2011-2954A