Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: St. Valentine's Day Ice-a-cree, 1 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
PG:

Everyone should plant at least one yellowwood in their lifetime, even if it's in someone else's yard. Of course, I am partial to a tree named Cladrastis kentukea (lutea) being a Bluegrass Stater.

Reports of difficulty growing them don't hold true in my experience. Average soils (not water-logged or wetland) are about all that is necessary. These trees are indigenous to limestone-based soil, so a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 is going to be fine. I have seen them from TN up into mid-IN in their local haunts, usually on the northeast slopes in woodlands. Production nurseries are field-growing specimens of yellowwoods in northern IL/southern WI. Regeneration in high deer population areas is sketchy due to browse.

I have successfully sprouted and planted seedlings; bare-root liners; young container trees (1G to 5G); and balled/burlapped field-grown nursery trees up to 6" caliper. Of course, your resources may vary but the potential for success varies little if you start off with quality plants and give them a decent home and aftercare.

At my job, we've just installed eleven 3.5-4" caliper yellowwoods in a highway median. I'll be happy to report on their progress to those interested. In fact, I'd start a whole 'nother thread because this species deserves it.

Here is a young recent transplant (pardon the scanned slide quality). Even with an obvious mower/weedeater wound, this ~2" caliper tree can be pretty proud of itself.