Kentucky Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus Dioicus
A very tough shade tree native to mid-western USA with relatively few pests. Rarely planted in New Brunswick. The largest compound leaves of any North American native tree, 36 inches long by 24 inches wide, made up of many leaflets emerging in late spring. Insect pollinated male and female flowers are similar and are on separate trees so the sex of the offspring is unknown until maturity. Both are in greenish-white clusters 4 to 12 inches long. The roots have nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil enriching it for other plants.
Additional information
| Foliage | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Locale | Native to North America |
| Height | Large (60-100ft) |
| Width | Moderate |
| Form | Irregular, Oval |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Longevity | Moderate (50 to 100 years) |
| Hardiness Zones * | 3, 4, 5 |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun (over 6 hrs) |
| Soil Preferences * | Moist, Slightly Acidic, Well Draining |
| Soil Tolerances | Dry, Slightly Alkaline, Wet |
| Other Tolerances | Occasional Drought, Road Salt, Urban Pollution |
| Ornamental Interest | Flowers (attractive), Leaves (shape), Seeds |
| Wildlife Value | Bees (flowers), Insect Pollinators (flowers) |
| Human Value | Carpentry (wood), Fuel (wood) |
| Seed Collection | Ordered Online |
| Planting Considerations | Late Leaf Out, Messy Seed Litter, Poisonous Tree Parts |
