Latin: Gymnocladus dioicus
Other common names: Kentucky Coffeetree
Mature Height: Varies from 60–70 feet high with a spread of 40–50 feet and a trunk up to 3 feet in diameter.
Soil / Climate: Tolerant of a wide variety of soils and climates. native to the Midwest of North America. This tree is found in floodplains and river valleys but is also sometimes seen on rocky hillsides and limestone woods.
Notes: Early pink foliage turns green, followed by yellow fall color. Produces a long seed pod. In the northeastern part of its range, seemingly natural groves of this tree are actually associated with known prehistoric village sites. In some parts of its range, this tree may be used as an indicator of the presence of limestone or of calcareous soils. Its growth is largely unaffected by heat, cold, drought, insects, disease, road salt, ice, and alkaline soil. The common name "coffeetree" derives from the use of the roasted seeds as a substitute for coffee in times of poverty. They are a very inferior substitute for real coffee, and caution should be used in trying them as they are poisonous in large quantities. The plant is toxic to some animals. The wood is used both by cabinetmakers and carpenters. It has very little sapwood.
Cold Stream Farm supplies Kentucky Coffeetree trees which are grown as bare root seedlings and transplants and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.
