Chapter 88 Cladrastis kentuckea
88.1 Yellowwood
Yellowwood in summer at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, NC. Link to original image.
88.2 Soil: General Deciduous / Rich Conifer Mix
Ratio: 3 parts bark, 1 part grit
Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)
pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)
Moisture: Average
A mature yellowwood, showing the sinuous branches. Link to original image.
Flowers on yellowwood. Link to original image.
88.3 Light
Routine: full sun. In winter, bark is susceptible to sun scald.
Summer: unknown.
88.4 Cultivation Notes
88.4.1 Potting & Root Pruning
Schedule: repot in spring.
88.4.1.1 Top & Branch Management
Yellowwood in winter, showing the fine branch ramification. Link to original image.
Heavy pruning: prune in summer because cuts made in late winter or spring tend to bleed.
Branching is fragile and vulnerable to damage from winter snow/ice or high winds.
Fine pruning:
Leaf pruning:
88.4.2 Feeding
88.4.3 Pests & Problems
Chemical Warnings
88.4.4 Winter Storage
Fall color on yellowwwod. Link to original image.
Store in mulch outdoors. Try to place in a shaded area so buds do not break in a mid-winter warm spell. Branching is fragile and vulnerable to damage from winter snow/ice or high winds.
88.5 Propagation Notes
Grown easily from seed.
88.6 Artistic & Styling Notes
88.7 Additional Information
88.7.1 Natural History
Native to the southeastern US, hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8. White fragrant blooms appear in May.