Medium to large trees with real character! Upright crown with heavy branches forms picturesque outlines. Tolerant and adaptable to a wide variety of sites, this native tree is a winner. Select male trees if seed pods are not desired. Name was given to this tree because its seed was ground as a coffee substitute for settlers to Kentucky.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
60 to
80
feet
Spread:
40 to
50
feet
Size
Height: 60 to
80
feet
Spread: 40 to
50
feet
Size
Height: 60 to
80
feet
Spread: 40 to
50
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Leaves emerge late in spring allowing sun to reach wildflowers below. The light shade it provides is desirable-can grow a wider range of plants and good turf beneath it!
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows well in average loam, well drained soil in sun to medium shade.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Dried Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.