Yellowwood is a medium-sized native tree 30 to 50 feet tall. It's common from North Carolina to Kentucky and Tennessee and is found scattered through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. It grows naturally on upland sites with rich soils and on limestone cliffs and ridges. This tree is extremely hardy from Zone 4 to Zone 8. However, late spring freezes can damage it.
American yellowwood is spectacular in bloom.
The trees are slow to come into bloom. Many don't bloom until they reach 12 to 18 feet tall. They often bloom heavily in alternate years. The foliage is rich green in the summer. It's a nice contrast to most of the dark greens on other trees and shrubs.