American Yellowwood Live Tree, Cladrastis kentukea, 18–24 Inch Potted Flowering Tree, Fragrant White Spring Blooms, Pollinator Friendly Shade Tree

Bring beautiful spring flowers, graceful shade, and year-round landscape interest to your garden with American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea), also known as Cladrastis lutea.

This medium-sized deciduous tree is admired for its fragrant, white, pea-like flowers, which appear in impressive drooping clusters in mid- to late spring. Its light green compound foliage turns a brilliant yellow in fall, while its smooth grayish-yellow bark adds distinctive winter interest.

This listing is for an 18–24-inch potted tree, ready to establish in your landscape.

Plant Details

• Common name: American Yellowwood

• Botanical names: Cladrastis kentukea / Cladrastis lutea

• Plant type: Deciduous flowering tree

• Shipping height: Approximately 18–24 inches

• USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

• Mature height: Approximately 30–50 feet

• Mature spread: Approximately 30–50 feet

• Flower color: Fragrant white

• Flowering season: Mid- to late spring

• Fall foliage: Bright yellow

• Bark: Smooth grayish-yellow

Fragrant Spring Flowers

One of American Yellowwood's most attractive features is its abundant clusters of fragrant white flowers. The drooping flower clusters resemble wisteria and attract bees and other pollinators.

Flowering may occur in alternate years, so a tree may not produce a heavy bloom every spring.

Four-Season Garden Interest

American Yellowwood offers something different throughout the year:

• Spring: Fragrant white flower clusters provide a beautiful seasonal display.

• Summer: Light green compound leaves create a pleasant shade canopy.

• Fall: Foliage turns a bright, cheerful yellow.

• Winter: Smooth grayish-yellow bark provides distinctive visual interest.

Wildlife and Landscape Benefits

American Yellowwood is a lovely choice for several landscape settings:

• Shade tree for gardens and yards

• Ornamental specimen or accent tree

• Pollinator-friendly flowering tree

• Wildlife garden planting

• Tree for naturalistic and woodland-inspired landscapes

Its branches provide cover for birds, while its seed pods provide a food source for wildlife. Its deep root system can also allow shade-loving plants to grow beneath the canopy.

Growing Information

• Sunlight: Full sun for the best flowering; tolerates partial shade, particularly in hotter climates.

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; limestone soil is suitable.

• Watering: Water regularly during the first few years while the tree establishes its root system.

• Drought tolerance: Moderately drought-tolerant once established.

• Pruning: Prune in summer after flowering to help reduce excessive sap bleeding.

• Wind protection: Protect young trees from strong winds.

American Yellowwood is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8.

A Little Botanical History

The common name Yellowwood comes from the yellow dye found in the tree's wood, a distinctive feature of this North American native tree.

Shipping Information

• Plant size: Approximately 18–24 inches tall

• Plant type: Potted tree

• Spring and summer: Ships with leaves

• Fall and winter: Ships dormant without leaves

Free shipping is included to most locations. Additional freight charges may apply for Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, U.S. territories, and remote locations.

Weather-related shipping: If temperatures are warmer than 89°F or colder than 20°F, orders will be held until conditions improve.

All plants are inspected for quality before shipment. Plants are rarely damaged during shipping, but if your plant arrives damaged, please contact us promptly. Photograph the package and plant so we can help resolve the issue.

Scenic Hill Farm is a licensed Oregon nursery.

Please note that the 18–24-inch measurement describes the young tree being shipped, not its mature landscape size. Flowering time and abundance can vary with tree age and growing conditions.