American Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea
American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30–50 ft tall and 40–55 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun.
medium water30–50 ft tall and 40–55 ft wideDeer-resistant
Online from $369.99 at 1 retailerPhotos
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Cladrastis kentukea
- Variety / cultivar
- American Yellowwood
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 30–50 ft tall and 40–55 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~55 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Fall color
- Gold, yellow
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white, cream
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Site factors to consider
- Watch: Tree Wrap/Sun ScaldThin young bark cracks and scalds in our bright winter sun, so wrap the trunk from fall to spring for its first few years.
- Watch: Weak WoodBrittle wood that heavy spring snow and wind like to snap, so prune for strong structure and keep it clear of roofs, wires, and drives.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is American Yellowwood good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, American Yellowwood is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does American Yellowwood get?
- It matures to about 30–50 ft tall and 40–55 ft wide.
- How much room does American Yellowwood need?
- Give American Yellowwood about 55 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does American Yellowwood grow into?
- American Yellowwood typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is American Yellowwood hardy on the Front Range?
- American Yellowwood is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does American Yellowwood need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does American Yellowwood grow?
- American Yellowwood is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does American Yellowwood live?
- American Yellowwood is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does American Yellowwood turn in fall?
- American Yellowwood turns gold and yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is American Yellowwood native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is American Yellowwood deer-resistant?
- American Yellowwood is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
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See also
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