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