Yellowwood

Cledrastis kentukea

1803 Government Way

Yellowwood is a native of the southeastern U.S., and is endangered in the wild. It was called Cledrastis lutea until the resurrection in 1971 of the slightly older name, kentukea. In Latin "luteus" means yellow and the heartwood is deep yellow, soft, fine-grained, and used for dyeing.

Flowers are white and fragrant, blooming in May. Bees frequent the flowers for nectar, and in full flower the tree appears to be dripping with white rain. Leaf color is bright green in summer and is very prominent in the landscape when compared to the dark green of maples and oaks.

Nominated by: Urban Forestry Committee