Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem, providing us with oxygen, shelter, and food.
Each tree has its unique features that make it stand out from others, and the trees that start with the letter Y are no exception.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 different trees that start with Y and learn about their characteristics, uses, and benefits.
1. Yellow Birch
Yellow Birch, also known as Betula alleghaniensis, is a deciduous tree that is native to North America.
This tree can grow up to 80 feet tall and has a broad, spreading canopy.
The bark of the Yellow Birch is yellow, silver, and bronze in color and peels off in thin, curly strips.
This tree is used for its wood, which is durable, hard, and has a beautiful grain.
2. Yew
Yew, or Taxus baccata, is an evergreen tree that is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
This tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and has a dense, conical shape.
The needles of the Yew tree are dark green and have a sharp point.
The Yew tree is used for its wood, which is hard, fine-grained, and resistant to rot.
3. Yellowwood
Yellowwood, or Cladrastis kentukea, is a deciduous tree that is native to the southeastern United States.
This tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and has a spreading, rounded canopy.
The leaves of the Yellowwood tree are compound and have a bright green color in the summer, turning yellow in the fall.
This tree is used for its wood, which is strong, heavy, and durable.
4. Yoshino Cherry
Yoshino Cherry, or Prunus x yedoensis, is a deciduous tree that is native to Japan.
This tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and has a spreading, round canopy.
The flowers of the Yoshino Cherry tree are pale pink and appear in the spring.
This tree is popular for its ornamental value and is widely planted in parks and gardens.
5. Yellow Poplar
Yellow Poplar, or Liriodendron tulipifera, is a deciduous tree that is native to North America.
This tree can grow up to 160 feet tall and has a pyramidal shape.
The flowers of the Yellow Poplar tree are tulip-shaped and appear in the spring.
This tree is used for its wood, which is lightweight, soft, and easy to work with.
6. Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-Ylang, or Cananga odorata, is a tropical evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia.
This tree can grow up to 65 feet tall and has a spreading, umbrella-shaped canopy.
The flowers of the Ylang-Ylang tree are yellow, pink, or mauve and have a sweet, floral fragrance.
This tree is used for its essential oil, which is widely used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
7. Yellow Elder
Yellow Elder, or Tecoma stans, is a semi-evergreen tree that is native to Central and South America.
This tree can grow up to 20 feet tall and has a spreading, open canopy.
The flowers of the Yellow Elder tree are yellow and trumpet-shaped and appear in the summer.
This tree is used for its ornamental value and is widely planted in gardens and landscapes.
8. Yellow Buckeye
Yellow Buckeye, or Aesculus octandra, is a deciduous tree that is native to eastern North America.
This tree can grow up to 80 feet tall and has a spreading, rounded canopy.
The flowers of the Yellow Buckeye tree are yellow-green and appear in the spring.
This tree is used for its ornamental value and is popular for landscaping.
9. Yellowwood Tree
Yellowwood Tree, or Podocarpus henkelii, is an evergreen tree that is native to Southern Africa.
This tree can grow up to 80 feet tall and has a pyramidal shape.
The leaves of the Yellowwood Tree are dark green and have a narrow, lance-like shape.
This tree is used for its wood, which is hard, heavy, and has a fine grain.
10. Yellow Cedar
Yellow Cedar, or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, is an evergreen tree that is native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
This tree can grow up to 130 feet tall and has a conical shape. T
he leaves of the Yellow Cedar tree are yellow-green and have a scale-like shape.
This tree is used for its wood, which is durable, decay-resistant, and has a pleasant fragrance.
11. Yulan Magnolia
Yulan Magnolia, or Magnolia denudata, is a deciduous tree that is native to China.
This tree can grow up to 40 feet tall and has a spreading, rounded canopy.
The flowers of the Yulan Magnolia tree are white and appear in the spring.
This tree is used for its ornamental value and is popular for landscaping.
12. Yellowwood Sage
Yellowwood Sage, or Eriodictyon californicum, is an evergreen shrub that is native to California.
This shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall and has a bushy, rounded shape.
The leaves of the Yellowwood Sage are gray-green and have a narrow, lance-like shape.
This shrub is used for its medicinal properties and is commonly used as a herbal remedy.
13. Yellow Osier
Yellow Osier, or Cornus sericea, is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America.
This shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall and has a spreading, open shape.
The leaves of the Yellow Osier shrub are green and turn yellow in the fall.
This shrub is used for its ornamental value and is commonly used in landscaping.
14. Yellowhorn
Yellowhorn, or Xanthoceras sorbifolium, is a deciduous tree that is native to China.
This tree can grow up to 30 feet tall and has a spreading, rounded canopy.
The flowers of the Yellowhorn tree are white and appear in the spring.
This tree is used for its ornamental value and is popular for landscaping.
15. Yellow Azalea
Yellow Azalea, or Rhododendron luteum, is a deciduous shrub that is native to Europe and Asia.
This shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall and has a bushy, rounded shape.
The flowers of the Yellow Azalea shrub are yellow and appear in the spring.
This shrub is used for its ornamental value and is commonly used in landscaping.
Before You Go
Trees come in many varieties and species. If you’re interested in learning about trees that have names starting with a particular letter, check out our articles on trees by letter.
Our alphabetical tree articles allow you to browse trees starting with any letter you choose.
