{"product_id":"american-yellowwood","title":"American Yellowwood","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAn Underused Native Shade Tree With Fragrant Cascading Flowers\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Yellowwood (\u003cem\u003eCladrastis kentukea\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the finest shade trees almost nobody plants — and that's a shame, because it offers it all. In early summer it drapes itself in long, pendant clusters of fragrant white wisteria-like flowers that hum with bees; its smooth, silvery-gray bark recalls a beech and looks elegant year-round; and in fall the graceful broad-rounded crown turns a brilliant clear gold. Native to a small range in the American Southeast, it's nonetheless fully hardy across Minnesota. Whether you're planting a distinctive shade tree in Edina, a fragrant flowering specimen in Woodbury, or a pollinator-friendly lawn tree in Maple Grove, American Yellowwood rewards you with rare, refined beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAmerican Yellowwood Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eCladrastis kentukea\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican Yellowwood, Kentucky Yellowwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–55 feet — broad, rounded crown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for the best flowering and form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Drought-tolerant once established; appreciates consistent moisture while young.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam; prefers deep, well-drained soil. Tolerates varied pH.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFragrant white pendant (wisteria-like) flower clusters in early summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePollinator Value\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExcellent — the early-summer blooms are a strong draw for bees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmooth silvery-gray, beech-like — an attractive year-round feature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — bright green compound leaves turning brilliant golden yellow in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — protect young trees in high-pressure yards\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAmerican Yellowwood Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDistinctive Flowering Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 30–50 feet with a broad, rounded crown, American Yellowwood is a true shade tree that also flowers spectacularly — a rare combination. Its cascading white blooms make it an unforgettable focal point on an open lawn in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFragrant Pollinator Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pendant flower clusters are wonderfully fragrant and alive with bees in early summer, providing valuable forage. It's an excellent and unexpected anchor for a pollinator-friendly landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYear-Round Beauty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe smooth silvery-gray, beech-like bark gives this tree elegant winter and year-round interest, and the clear golden fall color caps off the season — a refined, four-season specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant American Yellowwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYellowwood is deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is ideal — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting when heat stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant American Yellowwood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade. Allow plenty of room for the broad 40–55 foot mature spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk. Prune only in summer if needed — yellowwood bleeds sap heavily if cut in late winter or spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering American Yellowwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished American Yellowwood is fairly drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill American Yellowwood survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — despite its small southeastern native range, it's fully hardy to about -30°F and grows well across the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it flower every year?\u003c\/strong\u003e It tends to bloom most heavily every other year (a natural alternating pattern), with lighter flowering in between — but the fragrant display in a big bloom year is spectacular and well worth the wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen should I prune it?\u003c\/strong\u003e In summer, never in late winter or early spring — yellowwood bleeds sap heavily if cut while dormant or just before leaf-out. Summer pruning avoids the issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it good for pollinators?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the fragrant early-summer flowers are a strong bee draw, making it a valuable and uncommon pollinator shade tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/strong\u003e — another bold native shade tree with great structure and toughness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Catalpa\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native shade tree with showy summer flowers and dramatic foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSnow Cap Tree Lilac\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fragrant, pollinator-friendly early-summer flowering tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough shade tree with brilliant golden fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many American Yellowwood Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Yellowwood is a broad, 40–55 foot specimen shade tree, so it is almost always planted as a single lawn focal point rather than in rows. Give one tree at least 35–45 feet of open space from buildings, power lines, and other large trees so its rounded crown can spread freely. On a large property, a loose grouping of 2–3 trees spaced 35–40 feet apart reads as a small grove while still letting each canopy develop its full graceful form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAmerican Yellowwood Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright green compound leaves emerge late, unfurling into a fresh, airy canopy as the metro warms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, fragrant white wisteria-like flower clusters drape the crown in early summer (heaviest every other year), alive with bees, followed by cool, dappled shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The broad-rounded canopy turns a brilliant, clear golden yellow — one of the cleanest gold fall shows of any shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth, silvery-gray beech-like bark and an elegant branching structure carry the tree through the snowy months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kentucky-coffeetree\"\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/a\u003e — another bold native shade tree with great structure and toughness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-catalpa\"\u003eNorthern Catalpa\u003c\/a\u003e — a native shade tree with showy summer flowers and a tropical look.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-splendor-buckeye\"\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye\u003c\/a\u003e — a flowering shade tree with fireworks fall color to pair with the yellowwood's gold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-gold-ginkgo\"\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough shade tree with matching brilliant golden fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs American Yellowwood Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Yellowwood thrives in full sun (6+ hours) with deep, well-drained soil and plenty of room for its broad 40–55 foot crown — an ideal refined focal point for an open lawn in Edina, Plymouth, or Woodbury, and tough enough to shrug off drought once established. It's not a fit if you have a small lot or a tight planting strip, or if you want guaranteed heavy bloom every single year — yellowwood naturally flowers most strongly in alternating years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260812120369,"sku":"GT-T1444","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260812153137,"sku":"GT-T1445","price":466.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/american-yellowwood.jpg?v=1779426696","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/american-yellowwood","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}