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Gymnocladus dioicus

Kentucky Coffee Tree

They are most picturesque with their large, open branching habit, stubby twigs and huge, compound, blue-green leaves. The white flowers are showy and fragrant and are followed by flattened, reddish-brown pods.

  • »  Open, oval crown with irregular branching
  • »  Greenish-white flowers appear on both male and female plants
  • »  Fertilized flowers on female plants give way to long, flat, brown, seed pods
  • »  Large compound leaves are blue-green in the summer
  • »  Fall colour is an insignificant yellow
  • »  Bloom Time: May to June

1gal
$21.75
7gal
$225.00
10gal
$279.00
15gal Low Inventory
$294.00
  • Category:Trees
  • Hardiness Zone:4
  • Height:17-20 m
  • Spread:13-15 m
  • Bloom Color: Green
Exposure
• Full Sun
Soil Moisture
• Moist to Average
• Well-drained
Growth Rate
• Fast
• Medium
Attributes
• Native to Ontario
• Deciduous
• Fall Color
• Fragrant
• Salt Tolerant
Flowering Time
• Lt. Spr-Sum
Habit
• Oval
• Spreading
Foliage Color
• Blue
• Green
• Yellow
Landscape uses
• Specimen
Planting instructions
• Container Plants
Additional Information about Gymnocladus dioicus

 Native to Ontario and mid to eastern U.S.A.

Native Americans and early American settlers, especially those in the Kentucky area, roasted and ground the seeds to brew a coffee-like beverage (albeit no caffeine), hence the common name. Seeds are toxic unless roasted.

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Gymnocladus dioicus

A good landscape tree for parks and large lawn areas. It has a striking winter silhouette. Seed pods, while visually attractive, can cause messy litter drop.