Tag Archives: tree feature

American Yellowwood Tree

The American Yellowwood Tree (Cladrastis kentuckea) is a very pretty tree that’s rather uncommon in the Northeast. Although the Yellowwood is hardy to Zone 4, it is more likely found from the Southeast with a range that extends as far west as Oklahoma and south to Alabama.

American Yellowwood Tree

This uncommon tree get its name from the yellow color of its heartwood. The bark of the Yellowwood tree is an attractive, smooth light grey. Early in summer, the tree produces fragrant, white, pea-like flowers. This tree also produces fruit in the form of pods, each containing a few seeds. The foliage ranges from bright green in summer to a show mix of yellow, orange, and gold in the fall. The Yellowwood is a medium sized tree, growing to 33 to 49 feet tall.

Yellowwood Summer Foliage

Yellowwood Flowers

Yellowwood Tree Fall Foliage

When adding a Yellowwood tree to your yard, choose a spot in full sun with well drained soil. This tree needs to be pruned every summer, so keep that chore in mind when deciding if this species is good for your yard. You may need to protect the tree from sun scald and wind during the harsh winter months.

Another positive aspect of the Yellowwood tree is its health. This particular tree is free from major diseases and pests. If you are looking for a beautiful ornamental tree that will thrive in a suburban, or even urban, environment, the American Yellowwood Tree might be right for you!

Yellowwood Tree in Bloom

Tree Feature: Saucer Magnolia

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The Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia soulangeana

As the bleak winter fades away and nature begins to show signs of life again, one of the first trees to flower and bloom is the beautiful Saucer Magnolia. This tree is known in some areas as the Tulip Tree, even though it is part of the Magnolia family. Starting in late March or April, the Saucer Magnolias bud and then bloom their beautiful pink or white flowers. These flowers are known for their big petals and fragrant smell.

Benefits of the Saucer Magnolia:

Beautiful Flowers
Attract birds and butterflies
Hearty enough to withstand long, cold New York winters
Provide lots of shade in the summer

Caring for Your Saucer Magnolia

Saucer Magnolias require minimal maintenance, especially after they’re no longer saplings. Make sure it gets regular water, and prune when needed.

The Amelanchier Tree

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The Amelanchier tree has many names: the Serviceberry, Sarvisberry, Sarvis, Shadbush, Shadwood, Wild Pear, Juneberry, Saskatoon, Sugarplum, Wild-Plum and Chuckley Pear. The Amelanchier has an interesting backstory to follow many of its nicknames.

Amelanchier Residential Westchester Tree Life

The Amelanchier tree is a short tree or large shrub ideal for adding beauty to your landscape.

This tree of many names was often used as an indication to mark the time of year when shad fish came to spawn, thus the nicknames Shadblow or Shadbush.

Early colonists referred to the Amelanchier as the Serviceberry. The colonists referenced the blooming of the Amelanchier as a sign that the ground had thawed enough to bury the dead, after a long winter. The name Serviceberry was a term derived from funeral service.

Amelanchier canadensis Westchester Tree Life

Amelanchier candensis

The Amelanchier is also called the Juneberry for it’s bountiful boughs of berries produced in June, which attract birds.

A tree that features something beautiful each season, the Amelanchier tree’s bright green leaves turn a bright orange and deep red during Autumn.

The Amelanchier’s leaves are bright during fall.

Once the tree has shed its leaves for winter, its silvery bark resonates during winter snow. This small tree, or large bush is a great addition to your landscape as a tell-tale sign that spring has sprung.