Kentucky Coffee Tree

Every tree is a treasure, and Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is no exception. Did you know that ancient mammoths used to feed on the 10 inch long seed pods displayed on the female trees?

Yes, mammoths! Imagine growing an interesting native tree that used to be spread by munching mammoths.

Perhaps you remember playing with the round, brown “coffee beans” as a child. The Native Americans used them in games of chance and for jewelry. Settlers roasted and ground the female seeds as an admittedly poor substitute for coffee.

Kentucky Coffee Tree used to cover a wide swathe of the central and eastern United States. But nowadays, it’s rare. This tree deserves a close look by modern property owners.

These large growing, urban-savvy shade trees have no insect or disease problems. The wood is tough, and displays a remarkable lack of twiggy, fine branches. It withstands storms and pollution.

They are drought tolerant and widely adaptable to many soil types. It thrives in wet soil, or dry.

Female trees bloom star-shaped, greenish-white flowers that cascade from the branches. You’ll love the rich, Rose scent of these tiny blooms.

And the leaves are the largest of all of our native trees. Huge, bipinnately compound leaves can grow up to 3 feet long! They may be comprised of over 100 small “leaflets”.

They add a beautiful, fine-textured charm in the growing season. The young leaves display bronze, but age to a wonderful, dark green with a bluish overcast.

Kentucky Coffee Tree casts a delicious, dappled shade that is very restful, never gloomy. You can grow flowering shrubs, spring-flowering bulbs and perennials underneath without any problem.

The large leaves can develop yellow fall color. They drop all at once in early autumn, which makes for an easy fall cleanup.

Without fine, twiggy branching, the tree displays a wonderfully open growth habit. It forms a narrow silhouette with a rounded crown in the winter landscape.

Furrowed, dark brown bark, and the bare branches make this tree an incredible addition to a winter landscape. Female trees add the unique pods that decorate the bare branches all season.

And you won’t have to worry about these rugged trees. In fact, urban municipalities are turning more and more to the bold charm of the Kentucky Coffee Tree.

After all, they are looking for drought tolerant, strong trees for shade and street use. Watch for them in your local parks and thoroughfares.

For a beautiful tree with unique features and a hardy disposition, the Kentucky Coffee Tree is an excellent choice. Order yours today, and help bring this rare tree back!

How to Use Kentucky Coffee Tree in the Landscape

This tree is wonderful for energy conservation. The large leaves shield your house from the heat of the summer, but fall cleanly and early in autumn. You’ll enjoy every bit of warmth generated by the winter sun.

They make great street trees, with tough wood that withstands storms. Large commercial properties should add this tree, and many other native trees, shrubs and perennials. Advertise your corporate initiatives to generate interest and new business.

Kentucky Coffee Tree (sometimes spelled Kentucky Coffeetree) makes a wonderful delineation between rough woods and manicured landscape. Run a naturalized grouping along the border, and vary the spacing between trees.

Create a grove by planting 3 or 5 of them in a gentle zig-zag planting pattern. Far better to use unequal, isosceles triangles (avoid equilateral triangles) for the most natural look.

Underplant them with Paw Paws, Redbud, Chickasaw Plums or Flowering Dogwood trees. Chokeberry shrubs would make a terrific partner plant. It can be grown near Black Walnut.

Include them in windbreaks and shelterbelts. The large leaves blow and sway in the wind, adding a tropical flair. Think of them as “native Palm trees”, and you’ll get the picture.

Use in low-lying Rain Gardens to filter water runoff from roofs and roads. Or, add them to dry areas that require drought tolerant plants.

If you have a hankering for wildcrafting, please note that the seeds should be roasted, and not eaten raw. Fence in fruiting, female trees, if they are used near livestock.

The reddish-brown wood is rot-resistant and used for fence posts, railway sleepers, cabinets, paneling and fine furniture. It makes good firewood with high heat and low sparks, as well.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Kentucky Coffee Tree prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils. However, it is extremely adaptable to most soils. It becomes very drought tolerant once established.

It is fast-growing while young. Prune to develop a strong structure in winter or early spring. Plant it in full sun for best results.

Enjoy these tough, unusual, interesting, historical native tree! Order your Kentucky Coffee Trees today.