Common Name: Yellowwood
Scientific Name: Cladrastis kentukea
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: North America
Although this tree is a member of the legume family, consisting of plants that fix nitrogen into the soil, this tree does not perform this process. Distinct yellow dye is present in the wood of the tree, giving the wood a yellow hue and, thus, the tree's common name “Yellowwood”. The tree is medium sized, growing up to 30-50 feet tall, with a broad, more rounded crown. The leaves are pinnately compound (7-11 leaflets). Leaves are bright green when fully grown and then turn yellow in the fall. Flowers arrive in the late spring and are extremely fragrant. These flowers form branched spikes, called terminal panicles, and are usually about 10-15 inches long. From a distance, the flowers look like hanging wisteria flowers. After flowering, flat 2.5-4-inch-long pea shaped seed pods are produced.