Trees with yellow flowers

Yellow-flowered trees span from the earliest bloomers (witch hazel in January) to late-summer flowering trees, covering nearly every bloom season. The options vary significantly by climate zone: northern gardens have access to witch hazel, goldenchain, and cornelian cherry; warm-climate gardens.

Yellow-flowered trees span from the earliest bloomers (witch hazel in January) to late-summer flowering trees, covering nearly every bloom season. The options vary significantly by climate zone: northern gardens have access to witch hazel, goldenchain, and cornelian cherry; warm-climate gardens have the spectacular yellow cassia trees and golden trumpet trees.

Yellow-flowered trees by bloom season

Early spring (February–March)

**Witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.)**

Per Missouri Botanical Garden, witch hazels are multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees (to 15–20 feet) that produce strap-petaled, spidery yellow, orange, or red flowers in January–March — often through snow. They are among the earliest flowering woody plants in temperate North America.

• Zones: 3–8 (species-dependent)
• Size: 10–20 feet tall; 10–15 feet wide
• Bloom: January–March (the earliest flowering woody plant in most temperate zones)
• Fall color: Outstanding yellow-orange
• Species notes: H. virginiana (native; yellow; October bloom); H. mollis (Chinese; most fragrant; yellow); H. × intermedia ('Arnold Promise' — most popular; yellow; 'Diane' — orange; 'Jelena' — copper-orange)

Per NC State Extension, Hamamelis mollis 'Pallida' produces sulfur-yellow flowers with exceptional fragrance that carries 20–30 feet in cold, still air.

**Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)**

Per Missouri Botanical Garden, cornelian cherry produces small clusters of yellow flowers in March before its leaves emerge, creating a yellow haze. The fruit is edible and attractive to birds.

• Zones: 4–8
• Size: 15–25 feet
• Bloom: March (before leaf-out)

Spring (April–May)

**Goldenchain tree (Laburnum × watereri 'Vossii')**

Per Penn State Extension, goldenchain tree produces pendulous clusters (racemes) 12–20 inches long of golden-yellow flowers in May. It is the most spectacular yellow-flowering small tree for zones 5–7.

• Zones: 5–7 (not reliable in zone 8+ heat)
• Size: 15–25 feet tall
• Bloom: May
• Warning: All parts, especially seeds, are toxic if ingested. Per Penn State Extension, take precautions in gardens with children or pets.

**Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia)**

Not a tree but a large shrub (to 10 feet) commonly treated as a specimen plant. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, forsythia produces bright yellow flowers in April before leaves and is among the earliest spring bloomers in zones 4–9. 'Lynwood Gold' and 'Karl Sax' are reliable cultivars.

**Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina)**

Technically white-to-pale yellow flowers, Carolina silverbell has yellow-green buds and white bell-shaped flowers. Not a yellow tree but included for completeness as it blooms at the same time as many yellow-flowered species.

**Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)**

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, tulip poplar produces cup-shaped flowers with yellow and orange markings in May–June, but only on mature trees (10–15 years old) and the flowers are 30–60 feet up the tree, making them more ornamental for birds than for garden display.

• Zones: 4–9
• Size: 60–90 feet tall
• Best value: For wildlife; flowers seen at distance

Late spring–early summer (May–June)

Golden chain tree (see above; peak bloom May)

**Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) — not recommended**

Per Rutgers NJAES, thornless honey locust cultivars are commonly planted landscape trees with small yellow flowers in May. However, they have significant pest issues (honey locust pod gall midge, spider mites) that require frequent management. Not recommended for low-maintenance landscapes.

Summer (June–August)

**Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)**

Per Clemson HGIC, golden rain tree produces large panicles of yellow flowers in June–July, followed by papery lantern-like seed pods. It is a reliable, drought-tolerant tree for zones 5–9.

• Zones: 5–9
• Size: 30–40 feet tall; 30–40 feet wide
• Bloom: June–July
• Fall seed pods: Ornamental papery pods that persist into winter
• Note: May self-seed in some areas; seeds easily removed from unwanted spots

Warm-climate yellow trees (zones 8–11)

**Yellow cassia (Senna polyphylla, S. surattensis)**

Per Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, various cassia species produce masses of clear yellow flowers over extended periods in zones 9–11. Senna surattensis blooms nearly year-round in frost-free climates.

**Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula)**

Per Missouri Botanical Garden, golden shower tree produces 12–18 inch hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers in summer. A spectacular specimen for zones 10–11; treated as a seasonal tree in zones 8–9.

• Zones: 10–11 reliable; 8–9 with protection
• Size: 25–40 feet
• Bloom: May–July; extraordinary display

**Palo verde (Parkinsonia spp.)**

Per Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, palo verde trees are covered entirely in yellow flowers in spring (April–May). Native to the desert Southwest; zones 9–11. Bark is green (photosynthetic), which distinguishes it from all other trees.