yellow wood
yellow wood Lexical Profile
• noun
A forest or wooded area in autumn when the leaves of the deciduous trees have turned a golden or yellow color.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and he took the one less traveled by."
Any of various trees that produce yellowish timber, particularly the American yellowwood native to the southeastern United States, or several species of podocarpus native to South Africa.
"The cabinetmaker sought out a rare piece of yellow wood to construct the decorative inlay of the antique chest."
Word Nuance & Usage
Most frequently recognized from Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken,' where it describes an autumnal forest, though it also botanically refers to actual timber trees known for their yellowish heartwood.
Word Origin & Etymology
A literal compound of 'yellow' and 'wood,' describing either the color of a specific tree's timber or a forest during autumn when deciduous leaves turn color.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.