American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea): Fragrant White Wisteria-Like Blooms

American Yellowwood, also called Kentucky Yellowwood, is a medium-sized, native flowering tree of rare beauty. Cladrastis kentukea (syn. C. lutea, family Papilionaceae/Fabaceae) graces the limestone cliffs and slopes of the upper South with cascading chains of fragrant white flowers reminiscent of wisteria.

Spectacular Flowering

In late spring (May-June), after leaves emerge, the tree produces 10-15 inch long, pendulous panicles of white, pea-like flowers with a yellow blotch. The fragrance is sweet and pervasive. The tree often flowers heavily in alternate years. The leaves are pinnately compound, 8-12 inches long, with 7-11 leaflets, bright green turning clear yellow to gold in fall—among the best fall color of any native tree. The smooth, gray bark is beech-like and attractive in winter.

Taxonomic Classification

Landscape Merit and Culture

Yellowwood grows 30-50 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown and low branching habit. It's a superb specimen tree for residential landscapes, parks, and campuses. It prefers full sun, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (tolerates limestone), and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. It's hardy to zone 4.

The wood is yellow (hence the name), hard, and close-grained—historically used for gunstocks and specialty items. The tree is relatively pest-free but can suffer from verticillium wilt and ice storm damage due to brittle wood. It's a legume but does not fix nitrogen effectively. Its deep taproot makes transplanting difficult; plant container-grown specimens. A native alternative to invasive Black Locust with similar flowers.