Kentucky Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus dioicus
A unique native shade tree with bold architectural presence, featuring enormous compound leaves and distinctive winter silhouette with thick, blunt branches. This tough, adaptable tree tolerates urban pollution, drought, and poor soils while casting filtered shade perfect for underplanting. An excellent conversation piece for gardeners wanting something truly distinctive.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–8
USDA hardiness
Height
60-80 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Kentucky Coffee Tree in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Kentucky Coffee Tree · Zones 3–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 40 ft. 0 in. - 55 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet. Maintenance: 'Espresso'male tree, produces no fruit, vase shape 'J. C. McDaniel' or Prairie Titan (Trademark)male tree, produces no fruit, upright spreading, bluish-green foliage 'Stately Manor'male tree, produces no fruit, narrow upright form 'Variegata'slow growing, creamy white variegation of the leaves, pinkish-purple new growth, 'Espresso', 'J. C. McDaniel' or Prairie Titan (Trademark), 'Stately Manor', 'Variegata'. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The female trees develop the fruit. The fruits appear as flat reddish-brown or purplish-brown pods that measure up to 10 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. They mature in the fall and persist through the winter. The pods contain 4-7 dark brown seeds and are surrounded by a sticky pulp. The seeds are hard, smooth, oval, somewhat flat, and measure about 1/2 inch long and 5/8 inches wide. Male trees are considered desirable because of the lack of pods.
Color: Brown/Copper, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Winter
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Seeds, roasted and ground, can be used as a substitute for coffee; does not have caffeine.
History & Origin
Origin: South Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heat, Pollution, Salt
- +Attracts: Moths
- +Wildlife value: Larval host for bicolored honey locust moth and bisected honey locust moth.
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Fruits, Leaves, Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Thrives in similar soil conditions and provides excellent groundcover in shade
Hostas
Compatible shade perennial that helps suppress weeds beneath the canopy
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in similar moisture and shade conditions
Coral Bells
Tolerates filtered shade and adds seasonal color without competing for resources
Astilbe
Shade-loving perennial that complements the tree's natural woodland habitat
Wild Columbine
Native woodland plant that attracts beneficial pollinators and thrives in partial shade
Serviceberry
Compatible understory tree that provides wildlife food and spring flowers
Trillium
Native spring ephemeral that completes its cycle before full canopy leaf-out
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which can inhibit growth of many plants including Kentucky Coffee Tree
Grass Lawn
Competes heavily for water and nutrients, especially damaging to young trees
Norway Maple
Creates dense shade that can suppress Kentucky Coffee Tree regeneration and growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease and pest resistance
Common Pests
Virtually pest-free
Diseases
No significant disease problems