American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)

American Yellowwood is natively scattered along streams south and west of Ohio but has shown to be readily adaptable in Southwest Ohio. Spring Grove had the National Champion American Yellowwood until Hurricane Ike passed through Cincinnati. The specimen that survived the wrath of Ike is large enough to have the Ohio Champion title, but she is a bit worn. Tree bark has a gnarly texture quite different from the smoot silvery beech bark-like finish of a younger specimen. Our American Yellowwood is well protected on the lower slope behind White Pine Chapel on Section 69. If you look at all the American Yellowwood planted on the grounds, knowing they came from different sources at different times, realize that you will not find one flower out of its sequential of every other year. The fragrant white panicle flowering is a treat worth the wait. When last measured, this American Yellowwood garnered a circumference of 171-inches, a height of 63-feet and a crown spread of 63-feet earning 249-points.