For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/469201
www.arborage.com ARBOR AGE n SPRING 2015 11 TREE OF THE YEAR said O'Brien. "Judicious and timely pruning can help, though at a certain point, it is probably reasonable to just accept that good branching structure is not this tree's strong suit. Yellowwood's other positive attributes clearly outweigh this one idiosyncrasy, and I would suggest that the value and benefi t this beautiful trees provides makes consideration for planting worthwhile in many urban areas." A pink-fl owering cultivar, 'Perkins Pink' is available but may be challenging to fi nd. The SMA recognizes the underutilized and strongly ornamental yellowwood for its service to urban forests and encourages its use when matched appropriately to site and as part of a diverse urban tree inventory. Article provided by the Society of Municipal Arborists. Editor's Note: Arbor Age magazine is not affi liated with the Society of Municipal Arborists or the Urban Tree of the Year selection. Yellowwood Common Name: Yellowwood Botanical Name: Cladrastis kentukea (lutea) Parentage: Native Family: Fabaceae Introduction: 1812 Height: 30 to 50 feet Spread: 40 to 55 feet Form: Rounded shape, loose form, wider than tall at maturity Bloom Period: Early summer, May-June Flower: 1-inch long, white flowers in pendulous clusters, 8 to 14 inches long; fragrant, heavy blooms on alternate years; tree will be covered with blossoms on a good year and hardly flower on a bad year Fruit: 2- to 4-inch, long, thin, bean-like pods which turn brown, persistent Spring Color: Leaves open yellowish-green in spring Summer Foliage: Mid-green in summer, dense compound leaves, 8 to 12 inches long Autumn Foliage: Orange to yellow in autumn Winter Color: Light gray bark is attractive in winter, excellent form is displayed in winter Bark: Smooth, light gray, often multi-stem exfoliating bark, thin bark easily damaged Habitat: Species native to central Southeastern United States Culture: Needs space, rich soil, needs good drainage, tolerates high pH, as well as acid soil, sensitive to drought and compaction, full sun when young, more tolerant with age Hardiness Zone: 4a to 8b Growth Rate: Fairly fast, full size in 30 years Pest Problems: Excellent resistance, nothing serious Storm Resistance: Generally excellent although some reports indicate weak branch crotches in major windstorms, prevented by pruning older trees Planting: Transplant bare root or B & B from local or northern nurseries, deep roots Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form; bleeds heavily if pruned in winter or spring; remove bad branches and crotch angles Propagating: Stratified seed or cuttings in winter Design Uses: Excellent shade tree for homes, parks and open space, equally well as specimen or in groves Companions: Use with Galium as ground cover Other Comments: Attractive to bees, starts to bloom when half grown, wood is yellow Available From: Most nurseries These are the personal observations of the author, living in New England — Zone 6. Leonard Phillips can be reached via e-mail at lenphillips@on-line-seminars.com Note: Arbor Age magazine is not affiliated with the Society of Municipal Arborists or the Urban Tree of the Year selection. Leonard Phillips did not participate the Urban Tree of the Year selection. n BY LEONARD PHILLIPS, ASLA EMERITUS PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE BY EMILY HAMILTON