Gymnocladus dioicus
Are you looking for a big, tough, rugged tree for a park, golf course, boulevard or stately home? Consider the under used Kentucky coffee tree. This native gem from the great Midwest is a large tree like no other. No two trees are alike, with ascending and outreaching limbs giving each its own unique form. Specimens can reach 60 or more feet tall with up to a 50 foot spread. The bark is hard and tough with firm scaly ridges. The form is irregular and not dense, casting a tall distinct shadow on sunny winter days. According to Dirr, early settlers in Kentucky boiled the seed to make a coffee substitute, bestowing its common name.
The Kentucky coffee tree is also one of the latest trees to show leaves in the spring. The leaves are unique, being alternate and bipinnately compound up to 36” long and 24” wide. The leaflets are almost bluish green and bright yellow in the fall. The fruit is a brownish black leathery pod, 5 to 10” long, 1-1/2” to 2” wide containing dark hard shelled seeds embedded in a sticky pulp. The leaves and seed are said to be poisonous but Dirr also reported eating the sticky pod substance in his youth and living to tell about it.
Like most trees, it prefers deep, moist, well drained, somewhat acidic soils. But this tree will also tolerate limestone,droughty and tough urban conditions, another reason to have it on your tree list.
This all begs the question, what could a cultivar of the Kentucky coffee tree give us? The Espresso™ cultivar is seedless, which alleviates the concern for messy fruit, making it an excellent choice. ‘Espresso’ also has a more compact form than the species. It is available and a good selection to consider. I have also read of a narrow form Kentucky coffee tree but not seen it in production.
Speaking of production, this tree is not easy to grow. The roots are large, woody and broad. There were no fibrous roots on our bare root trees when planted in the nursery. Surprisingly, they all leafed out. Root pruning and root enhancing production, if possible, is recommended. The early structure of the tree can be equally stubborn to develop a balanced crown.
Typical nursery production methods like tipping to establish new laterals and a new leader may only provide one or two additional limbs. Be reasonable and patient when selecting and growing the Kentucky coffee tree. It is worth the effort!
As always, let me know your experience with this tree.
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Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
Curious how Kentucky Coffee Tree fits into landscapes and urban spaces?
Here are some common questions people ask about this tree:
Kentucky Coffee Tree is a substantial shade tree, typically reaching 60 to 70 feet tall with a 40–50 foot spread in open landscapes. Its growth rate is moderate, establishing steadily over the years without being overly aggressive.
This tree is known for its bold, coarse bipinnately compound leaves and strong, open form. Its silhouette is distinctive and provides a dramatic focal point in larger landscapes. Named for early settlers’ use of its roasted seeds as a coffee substitute, it combines history with landscape beauty. Seedless or male cultivars are often preferred in urban areas to reduce litter.
Kentucky Coffee Tree performs well in large yards, parks, and boulevards where there’s room to grow. It tolerates a variety of soils and environmental conditions, making it adaptable to both urban and rural settings, though smaller streetscapes may be too tight for its mature size.
Yes — the compound leaves emerge fresh in spring, creating a lush canopy, and turn vibrant yellow in fall for a striking seasonal display. Its leafing pattern is a little later in spring and may drop early in autumn, giving a unique seasonal rhythm compared to other shade trees.
Kentucky Coffee Tree does best in deep, moist, well-drained soils, though it is tolerant once established. Young trees benefit from staking or formative pruning to encourage a balanced structure. Choosing seedless or male cultivars can make urban planting easier by reducing pod litter.