Gymnocladus dioicus
Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus - Overall Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flowers:
White (Late spring; dioecious; male flowers in 4" clusters; female flowers, fragrant, in 12" long panicles)
 Foliage:
Green (Late to leaf out in the spring; blue-green bipinnately-compound leaves in the summer); Yellow (Variable fall color)
 Fruit:
Brown (Dioecious, so the large pods only occur on females; can cause significant litter)
 Ultimate Height:
60-75 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
40-50 feet
 Light Requirements:
 Soil:
Widely adapted to soils, but less tolerant of heavy clays
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are alternate, bipinnately compound, and large to 3' long and 2' wide. Leaflets entire. Prominent, large V-shaped or heart-shaped leaf scars. Salmon colored inner bark. Fruit pods (when present) are 5-10" long by 2" wide, reddish-brown, leathery, and persist all winter. Bark is scaly, ridged, and roughened.
 Ecological Functions:
 Special Characteristics:
  • Flowering Characteristics 463
  • Drought Tolerant 277
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 190
  • Indiana Native 154
  • Park Tree 39
  • Shade Tree 172
  • Specimen 602
  • Poisonous/Toxic 42
  • Slow Growth Rate 269
  • Winter Interest 90

    • Additional Information

    Gymnocladus dioicus is a large deciduous tree with strong winter character from the branches and bark. Drops pods (female trees) and twigs, frequently causing litter problem, thus eliminating the straight species as a good street tree. Seeds were once used by US settlers as a coffee substitute, however pulp and seeds are toxic when not properly and completely roasted.

    47 Gymnocladus dioicus found

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