yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea 'Sweetshade'
Overview
Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea 'Sweetshade') is an amazing tree for many reasons. It is a deciduous tree with beautiful, fragrant white flowers in the spring. Its flat compound leaves turn yellow in the fall and are an attractive addition to any garden or landscape. Its canopy is full and broad, giving plenty of shade for hot summer days. Its bark is gray-brown and its wood is highly valued in construction, furniture and woodworking. But what makes it truly amazing is its hardiness, surviving in a wide range of climates and soil conditions. It can even withstand drought in some cases! All in all, Yellowwood is a great choice for anyone who wants to add beauty and character to their garden.
Care Guide
Watering
The yellowwood plant (Cladrastis kentukea 'Sweetshade') should be watered an average of 1-2 times per week. The amount to water each time should depend on the soil moisture – if it feels dry, then water more; if it is quite moist, then water less. During periods of extreme heat (above 75°F) the plant may require more frequent watering, up to every day or 2. Furthermore, to prevent root rot, do not overwater – allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. In the summer, yellowwoods may benefit from a misting – use a spray bottle to lightly mist once or twice weekly. In winter and in colder climates, the plant should be watered less – about every 10-14 days will suffice.
Light
Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea 'Sweetshade') requires full to partial sun for ideal growth. For best results, this tree should be planted in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun per day throughout the growing season. While it can handle more sunlight in the spring and summer months, Yellowwood should be provided with some shade during the hottest part of the day in the late summer and early autumn. In order for this tree to bloom, it should be planted in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight during the spring and summer. With too little sunlight, the branches of this tree will not flower, so providing it with the right amount of sunlight is essential.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 4–8.
Pruning
Yellowwood should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning of yellowwood should be limited as it takes a longer time to recover. It should mostly be done to remove dead, diseased, and broken branches. Yellowwood should also be pruned to reduce crown size, reduce excessive growth and to open up the canopy for better air flow and light penetration. More than 1/3 of the canopy should not be removed at a time to avoid stressing the tree. It is also recommended to thin, rather than topping (or "heading"), the tree for better health and aesthetics. You should also take into account the size of your plant before pruning to determine how much you should trim off.
Propagation
Grafting Propagation, Cutting, Layering Propagation, Seed Propagation, Tissue Culture
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow yellowwood.
