Below, we describe a botanical cultivar, Cladrastis kentukea. The tree is native to the southeastern states of the United States. Partly for this reason, its name is derived from the U.S. state of Kentucky.
The tree has a strikingly irregular growth habit and develops a dense crown. As it matures, the tree often forms a broader to rounded crown with low branches on the trunk. The tree is therefore best suited for planting in parks and/or botanical gardens. The tree prefers a somewhat warmer and sunny location that is slightly sheltered. It thrives in well-drained soil.
The relatively larger leaves are compound, with leaflets 6 to 10 cm long. The leaves start out light green and turn a darker shade of green as the summer progresses. In the fall, they take on a beautiful yellow autumn color.
In May or June, 25-centimeter-long panicles of fragrant, white flowers appear. The flowers attract bees and other insects. In late summer, the pods appear and change color from green to brown to purplish-brown. The 5- to 8-cm-long pods contain two to six flattened, dark brown seeds
The Dutch name for this tree is "geelhout." When you cut branches from the tree, the characteristic yellow color appears in the cut wood. We grow this cultivar as both trees and shrubs at our nursery.
Photos taken at: Reeburgpark in Vught and our nursery
| Application: | Trees in containers, Trees on rooftops, Large gardens, Squares and parks, Solitary trees |
|---|---|
| Growing conditions: | (Partial) shade, Dry (sandy) soil, Normal soil, Moist (clay) soil, Sunny |
| Growth habit: | Round / flattened round |
| Flower color | White |
| Adult height: | Second size trees 6-12 m |
| Soil: | well-drained humus-rich soil |
| Flowers: | white butterfly flowers (May-June) |
| Applications: | green spaces and botanical gardens, parks |
| Environmental factors: | preference for a sunny sheltered location |
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