American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) reveals a graceful presence through its smooth gray bark, warm golden fall leaves, and drooping clusters of sweetly scented white blooms in late spring. Each flower panicle can reach 8–14 inches in length, creating a showy wisteria-like effect, on a moderate-sized tree suitable for smaller yards. Its broad, rounded canopy becomes even more striking in autumn, when the foliage takes on brilliant hues of yellow and sometimes orange. This legume-family tree also produces small, ornamental seed pods. It is highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, and can also provide nesting habitats for birds, blending beauty and wildlife value.
American Yellowwood stands out for its resilience, tolerating moderately dry sites once established and handling a variety of soil pH levels, including some alkalinity. It is native to eastern and central North America, where it thrives in well-draining, rich soils along river valleys and slopes. It stays under 50 feet tall and can serve as a graceful shade provider, focal specimen, or a grouping in woodland edges. Low branching and a deep root system allow a range of shade-loving plants to flourish underneath, giving Yellowwood a unique advantage over less accommodating species.
American Yellowwood Care
American Yellowwood prefers a location with at least four to six hours of direct sunlight, though it tolerates partial shade in hotter zones. Plant in moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, and avoid cramped or poorly drained areas where roots may struggle. Water regularly during the first few years to establish a strong root system; once settled, this tree copes with short dry spells. An all-purpose, balanced fertilizer in early spring can help younger trees develop more vigorous foliage and blooming. Add mulch around the base to conserve moisture and reduce fluctuations in soil temperature, particularly helpful in cooler or drought-prone regions.
Pruning is usually minimal. If shaping is needed, concentrate on thinning weak or inward-growing limbs to maintain a balanced structure—ideally done in late spring or early summer to avoid excessive sap flow. Container growth is possible, but less common since Yellowwood develops a deep root system and may become root-bound over time. For container culture, monitor watering closely and consider root-pruning every few years if you wish to maintain it at a smaller size.
American Yellowwood Spacing
For a row or living screen, allow 20 to 30 feet between trees so their canopies can merge gracefully without overcrowding. As a single specimen or in mixed plantings, provide at least 30 feet of open space to highlight its elegant branching and drooping flower clusters. In a large container, start with a pot diameter of at least 24 inches, upgrading to a wider pot as the root mass expands. This spacing encourages healthy growth and the striking seasonal display for which American Yellowwood is known.
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Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.