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:

o Medium to large shade tree; specimen tree when in flower

o Good for dry soil sites, xeriscapes, native landscapes

o Smooth, dark-gray bark interesting color/texture