Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden

Cladrastis

Latin name: Cladrastis kentukea

Common name: American Yellowwood

Texture: Medium

Growth rate: Slow growth in the beginning years with moderate growth after establishment

Flowers: White, showy, fragrant blooms emerge in the springtime, flowers occur in drooping panicles 10-15” in length

Light: Full sun to part shade

Fruit or cones: Legume, flat seed pods that mature in the fall, 2.5-4” in length, inconspicuous

Moisture: Medium, can be drought tolerant after establishment

Height & Width: 30-50’ tall, spreads 40-55’

Soil*: Well-draining soil is ideal, tolerable of alkaline or acidic soils, ideal pH of 6.8-7.2

Type: Deciduous, perennial

Zones: 4 to 8

Habit: Upright vase-like shape

Origin: Eastern United States

Wetland indicator category**: Not found 10/07/23

Ecosystem benefits: Conspicuous flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds

American Yellowwood
Image Source: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cladrastis-kentukea/

Author: Mallory Smith

Features: Cladrastis kentukea is a native tree that has several desirable ornamental features such as a nice yellow to orange fall color, showy white flowers that are great attractors for bees and hummingbirds, and a vase-like form. This is a good shade tree that is deer-resistant.

Siting: This tree should be placed in a location with well-draining soil that receives full sun to part shade. Cladrastis kentukea should also be in a location that is protected from strong winds.

Care: Plant so root flare is visible at soil surface. At planting, water the root ball daily with two gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for two weeks, every other day for two months, and then weekly until established. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the trunk. Refrain from pruning directly after transplanting as well as in the spring and winter. Pruning should occur in the summertime to prevent excessive bleeding that would occur if pruned in the spring or winter.

Pests: Plants are relatively pest-resistant if cultural preferences are met. However, verticillium wilt could occur.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (10/05/2023):

X USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml

X SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Sources:

  1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
  2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
  3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes.Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
  4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/flowers/
  5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets.Retrieved from http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/groundcovers/
  6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Trees. Retrieved from http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/
  7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/shrubs/
  8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
  9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
  10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
  11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
  12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp
  13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html
  14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place.Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
  15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
  16. USDA . Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/
  17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html
  18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication.
  19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.html

*Soil pH is determined using a professional soil test. Contact your Clemson University County Extension service for assistance www.clemson.edu/extension/. Click on “local offices”.

**2012 Plant Wetland Indicator categories (quantitative derived) http://plants.usda.gov/wetinfo.html
Plant Wetland Indicator categories
Indicator Code Indicator Status Comment
OBL Obligate Wetland Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands
FACW Facultative Wetland Usually is a hydrophyte but occasionally found in uplands
FAC Facultative Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte
FACU Facultative Upland Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands
UPL Obligate Upland Rarely is a hydrophyte, almost always in uplands