It has been commercially propagated exclusively from seed. The leaves are compound, with seven to eight leaflets alternating along each stem. They are rich green in summer, turning soft yellow in fall. As the fall leaves shed, the tree provides a strong winter accent with its pale gray, smooth trunk and sinewy branches. Add night lighting, and the tree makes a dramatic statement in the winter landscape.
American yellowwood grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils.
It may sit idle for a year or two until is firmly established, but 1 to 2 feet of new growth is common on healthy trees. Go easy with fertilizer, particularly during the first two years. Yellowwood prefers a pH around 6.5. It may need occasional liming in acidic soils. Get a soil analysis through your county Extension office to determine the need for lime.