Cladrastis is a monotypic genus in the legume family, Fabaceae. The sole existing species is C. kentukea, native to the Southestern US. Though rare in its native habitat, this tree has caught on and proven to be an attractive and adaptable urban tree in the Eastern US. This tree, like many rare plants, lacks good common names. It is usually called yellowwood but I prefer the name virgilia. Strangely, both names more commonly refer to separate South African plants.
Virgilia is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that typically grows with a multi-trunk or low-branching habit. It has white flowers in hanging racemes similar to Robinia or Wisteria. Not much is known about the performance of this tree in California. I am aware of only a single individual in the Sac State Arboretum, which appears healthy but is in a very shaded location. From descriptions of its performance in the Eastern US, it tolerates alkaline soil and prefers moist, well-drained conditions--but what tree doesn't? Its largest drawback is its soft wood and poor branch structure, so good structural pruning could be important. Some sources also report that it tolerates clay soil and drought, so it could be worthy of further trials in our area.
Virgilia is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that typically grows with a multi-trunk or low-branching habit. It has white flowers in hanging racemes similar to Robinia or Wisteria. Not much is known about the performance of this tree in California. I am aware of only a single individual in the Sac State Arboretum, which appears healthy but is in a very shaded location. From descriptions of its performance in the Eastern US, it tolerates alkaline soil and prefers moist, well-drained conditions--but what tree doesn't? Its largest drawback is its soft wood and poor branch structure, so good structural pruning could be important. Some sources also report that it tolerates clay soil and drought, so it could be worthy of further trials in our area.