Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Yellowwood, Kentucky yellowwood

Family: Fabaceae

Distribution: SE USA

Habitat: Forested river margins

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 5a -20 to -15 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental

Comments: American yellowwood is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the legume family that typically grows 30-50’ tall with upright branching and a broad, rounded crown. It is noted for its pinnately compound foliage, panicles of fragrant white spring flowers, autumn seed pods and yellow fall color. Pinnately compound leaves usually with 7-11 leaflets open as yellowish green, turn bright green in summer and then turn yellow in fall. Intensely fragrant, wisteria-like, pink flowers in large, drooping, terminal panicles 10-15” long will cover a mature tree in late spring.
Best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun.