| Yellowwood is a medium-sized tree is rare in its native range in North Carolina, where it is known from only a handful of counties in the western Mountains. I was excited to spot the tree at left hanging over NC 209 near the town of Hot Springs, on the Tennessee border, since it was the first one I'd found in the wild after years of looking. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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| Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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| Here is a different tree, growing on a calcareous cliff on the slopes of the French Broad River near Hot Springs. Note the distinctively smooth bark in the background. The leaves could be mistaken for an ash (Fraxinus sp.), but note that they are alternate, while those of ash are opposite. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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| Escaped tree, Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Escaped tree, Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| More commonly seen as an ornamental, Yellowwood sometimes escapes from cultivation in the Piedmont -- I have noticed a couple of seedlings on the Duke campus in Durham. Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/1/10.
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| The fragrant flowers, produced in early to mid-May, are spectacular, especially when the whole tree is in full bloom. Yellowwood trees take about 10 years to flower and do not bloom every year, but the wait is worth it! Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/1/10.
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| Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/10/06.
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| Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/10/06.
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| The large leaflets are alternately arranged. The base of the petiole completely encircles the bud, a feature that is shared with American Sycamore. Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/10/06.
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| Flower detail. Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/10/06.
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| The fruits are long bean-like pods. Formerly known as Cladrastis lutea. Planted specimen, Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.
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| Bark of a 15-year old tree. Yellowwood trees are frequently multi-trunked. Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 5/6/06.
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| The bark of both young and mature trees is pale gray and smoothish. Planted specimen, Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.
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| Same wild tree photographed above, growing on a calcareous cliff on the slopes of the French Broad River. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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| Same tree. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.
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More information:
Bernheim Arboretum
Bioimages
USDA PLANTS database
U Connecticut
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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