Growing to 60-70 ft., you can plant the Kentucky Coffee anywhere you want to create visual interest. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a wonderful choice for a large area. Coarse branches form a broad rounded canopy Inconspicuous yellow flowers in late spring produce dark pods. Medium to fast; Mature Height. A 2-inch caliper tree has only 1 to 3 branches. Kentucky coffeetree has reasonably strong wood and will tolerate some ice without losing branches. A coarse, upright branching habit in youth, this tree shines with age. Growth Rate The Kentucky coffee tree grows quite quickly, gaining 24 to 36 inches in height per year. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. Another important part of growing a Kentucky coffeetree is selecting the right soil. The Kentucky coffee tree is not commonly offered in the nursery trade because the taproot makes the tree somewhat difficult to transplant and its relatively slow growth rate makes it … For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. Great for urban spaces! This tree should be planted more in Colorado. Gymnocladus dioicus is the botanical name for the Kentucky coffeetree. It has very strong bark which can withstand damage by animals, including deer. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859       (Princeton): 270-365-2667, For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. It is resistant to air pollution and drought and makes an excellent addition to a rain garden or in a landscape to provide shade. It usually separates 3 to 4½ meters (10–15 feet) from the ground into three or four divisions which spread slightly and form a narrow pyramidal head; or when crowded by other trees, sending up one tall central branchle… An absolutely beautiful, hardy, moderately fast growing tree which provides filtered shade.. Leaves emerge pinkish, turn dark green in summer and golden yellow in fall. It has the largest bipinnate leaves in northern Illinois, and these large leaves need large branches for support. The species name, dioicus, refers to the tree's dioecious nature. Kentucky coffee-tree [Guilandina dioica L.] Darrin Kimbler . How to Germinate a Kentucky Coffee Tree. It has a striking winter silhouette. The common name comes from the seeds being used by pioneers as a coffee substitute. There are several cultivars of Kentucky coffeetree that are available in the nursery trade. It offers finely divided blue-green leaves that cast light shade. Scattered throughout Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) Zones 3-8. They can reach up to 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. This native tree is commonly called Kentucky Coffee Tree or coffeetree.A strong grower that is often used as a shade tree and a street tree favorite.Late to leaf out in spring, the coffee tree is the first to drop leaves in fall. I'm finding some conflicting info on growth rate. Longevity 50 to 150 years. Drought-resistant. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, Kentucky Coffeetree - Gymnocladus dioicusPea Family (Fabaceae). The fruit of Kentucky coffeetree is a typical legume pod,but the flowers are not the typical pea-like form most people associate with legumes. Produces pyramidal clusters of greenish-white flowers that bloom at the same time leaves are maturing (late May to early June). The Nursery Staff at Tagawa Gardens loves it for its beauty and resilience. Although widely distributed, this tree is a rare forest tree and occurs in scattered populations. The Kentucky coffeetree grows in in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. Adaptable to a variety of soils. The Kentucky coffeetree's tolerance to pollution and a wide range of soils makes it a suitable tree for urban environments. VERY WATER THRIFTY and relatively pest free. Kentucky Coffee Tree Growing and Maintenance Tips. Their interesting shape and seed pods are attractive and make for winter interest in … The bark is rough and furrowed and the older branches terminate in a flower cluster, forcing new branches to form in a "zig-zag" pattern. Kentucky Coffee Tree is a slow to moderate growing deciduous native tree in the bean family. Their size isn’t their only striking feature. This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. The Kentucky coffeetree grows to a height of 60–75' and a spread of 40–50' at maturity. Growth Rate. They include selections that are predominantly male and do not produce fruit. Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped form. Kentucky Coffee Tree (sometimes spelled Kentucky Coffeetree) makes a wonderful delineation between rough woods and manicured landscape. Leaves Bipinnately Compound, Green, Golden or Yellow or Orange, Deciduous. Native habitat: North Carolina to Kentucky and Tennessee. Sun Preference Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. While it tolerates wet soil, it has extreme drought tolerance. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. Growth rate is slow to moderate. An unusually shaped, coarse tree in youth becomes more uniform with age creating an obovate crown. Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Growth habit: Low-branching tree with a broad, rounded crown. Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree in fall Here is how it looks in the winter with no foliage. This tree gets its name because early Kentucky settlers noticed the resemblance of its seeds to coffee beans. Flowers Inconspicuous. Rounded Shape. These are preferred as street trees because the large pods can make a mess in early spring when they are shed from the trees in large numbers. On better sites, its growth rate is moderate (1 to 2 feet per year). Advertise your corporate initiatives to generate interest and new business. With its reputation as a tough species, the Kentucky coffeetree is an excellent choice for parks, golf courses and other large areas. Espresso™ Kentucky Coffee Tree is a seedless selection of this tough native, chosen by J.Frank Schmidt & Son for blue green foliage and arching habit. Kentucky Coffeetree Care Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. Instead of cutting down a tree and counting its growth rings or using an increment borer to find out how old a tree is, you can make a fairly good estimate of the age of a tree by using a simple formula published by the International Society of Arboriculture. Large compound leaves. Erect or Spreading with a High Canopy. Growth rate Slow to medium. The Kentucky coffeetree can reach heights of up to 60-75 feet and has an upright and wide spreading canopy. With its reputation as a tough species, the Kentucky coffeetree is an excellent choice for parks, golf courses, and other large areas. However, the tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils, including dry, compacted or alkaline soil. Buy Kentucky Coffeetree online. Often planted in golf courses and large, open parks, this tree is known for perfectly combining form and function. Parkways, front yards, and backyards are great locations for this unique and newly popular tree. Site design : Academic Web Pages. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. Growth Rate: medium (12"-24" per year) Height: 60-75' / Spread: 20-30'. The seed pulp is reportedly toxic to cattle. It prefers rich, moist soils in floodplains, terraces, ravines, coves, and lower slopes. Height: 60 - 100 feet. Seed pods, while visually attractive, can cause messy litter drop. It occurs throughout Kentucky, but is most common in open woods in the Bluegrass. Once established, it can grow a foot or so per year in Colorado. The tree’s picturesque profile stands out in all seasons and can be attributed to a unique growth habit of coarse, ascending branches that often form a narrow crown. Espresso Kentucky Coffee Tree is a very large, tough shade tree that has become extremely popular in recent years. Decaf is a sport of the native Coffeetree and can be widely grown from Zones 3 - 8. Features bipinnately compound leaves that can reach up 36" in length and 24" in width. 60-80 Ft in height and 40-55 Ft in width The tree grows at a medium rate with height increases of anywhere from 12" to 24" per year. Copyright 2020, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Kentucky coffeetree has the largest leaves of our woodland trees. The national champion Kentucky coffeetree, 97 feet tall, is in Maryland. pH levels: adaptable Soil: moist to well-drained, clay, alkaline, dry sites Sun: full sun to partial shade Tolerate: occasional flooding, drough t, pollution, salt spray, soil salt It has a similar leaf to a walnut tree but is without that trees problems. Foliage Large, bi-pinnately compound. There is some evidence to indicate that the Kentucky coffeetree was introduced into Kentucky by Native Americans, who used pulp from its wood to treat insanity. Tolerant of pollution. just reading up on the Kentucky coffee tree and ordered some seeds. This tree has a slow to moderate growth rate and displays beautiful bright yellow foliage in the autumn. Kentucky Coffee Trees have a slow-to-moderate growth rate. Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Native to the Midwest, this tree bears leathery, reddish-brown seed pods that add winter interest to the Midwestern landscape. It can reach a height of 90 feet. Growth habit: Tree size: The coffeetree tends to reach a height of 60 to 75 feet with a 40- to 50-foot spread at maturity. Gardenality is a gardening-centric site made by gardeners for gardeners with tools that enhance any gardening for the expert to the weekend gardener. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 4 meters (13 feet) tall. At one time the Kentucky coffeetree was the designated state tree. This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year. This site was last updated on December 10, 2020. Kentucky coffee tree ... Growth: Medium — Between 12 and 24 inches of growth per year. The bark of Kentucky Coffeetree is dark brown, characteristically roughened with ridges. Medium growth rate. Woody brown seed pods remain on the bare branches of female Kentucky coffee trees (Gymnocladus dioicus) all winter. The only draw back for this tree are the large seed pods on the female tree. The flowers of the female trees have a rose-like fragrance. Tree expert Michael Dirr pointed out that there are “certainly no two exactly alike.”, The kentucky coffeetree can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 3–8. A good landscape tree for parks and large, lawn areas. anything from slow to fast... hard to say there's info that agrees with eachother You'll appreciate the easy-care and fast growth rate of Decaf® Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica 'McKBranched'). Adapts well to a variety of climates and soils. It features a spreading canopy capable of blocking sunlight and adds visual interest and beauty to landscaping. Espresso™ Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioica ‘Espresso’ Description & Overview The Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree is a grafted male selection. What it needs: Espresso Kentucky Coffee Tree should be grown in full sunlight. An Equal Opportunity University. Fall color quality is not reliable. Native habitat: Northeastern and central U.S. Growth habit - This tree has an irregular form with coarse branches. Cattle have died after drinking from pools of water containing fallen seeds and leaves from Kentucky coffeetree. View Map. It is one of the largest Kentucky coffeetrees in the USA. Fragrant Flowers in Summer. The tree’s picturesque profile stands out in all seasons and can be attributed to a unique growth habit of coarse, ascending branches that often form a narrow crown. The emerging leaflets are pink to bronze tinted and turn yellow in the fall. Females produce 3-6 inch seed pods that stay on all winter providing great winter interest. This tree is considered both a shade tree and an ornamental tree. Gymnos is the Greek word for "naked" and klados is Greek for "branch." Yields seed pods that are 5–10" long and green in color, turning brown, that persist through the winter. This tree grows quickly into a nice size for modern landscapes. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: No […] Yet, you'll still get all the benefits of a shade tree. Fall Color: Yellow. Seed pods persist throughout the winter and make an interesting silhouette against the sky. Its most common associates include maples, ashes, hackberry, black walnut, butternut, honey locust, and bitternut hickory. The ugly duckling of trees that I grow, the Kentucky Coffee Tree turns into a beautiful swan as it matures. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. Growth Rate: 24 to 36 Inches per Year. That aside, Kentucky coffeetree care will be easier if you plant the tree in organically rich, moist soil with good drainage. Sources disagree on which parts of the seed pods are edible. The seeds of Kentucky coffeetree were used by early settlers as a substitute for coffee. In earlier times, its wood was used in the construction of railway sleeper cars. Kentucky coffeetree grows on a wide variety of sites and soils. Has Deciduous foliage. Large commercial properties should add this tree, and many other native trees, shrubs and perennials. This species can tolerate a wide range of site conditions and Is … Cystisine is thought to be neutralized in the roasting process. A tea made from leaves and pulp was used as a laxative. It's also a tough tree, holding up well to dry conditions, alkaline soil, and even a bit of salt. Width: 40 - 50 feet. Native to areas of North America, Kentucky coffee tree is a relatively slow grower that eventually reaches 70 feet tall or so. It normally reaches about 50 to 80 feet tall. The tree varies from 18 to 21 meters (60–70 feet) high with a spread of 12–15 meters (40–50 feet) and a trunk up to one meter (3 feet) in diameter. Tree Characteristics. The Kentucky champion tree is in West Liberty in Morgan County and is 90 feet tall. Some years very attractive, some years not much. This is a very desirable selection of one of our special native trees. Another star performer in the NYC street tree evaluations, Gymnocladus has emerged as a very durable shademaker in demanding urban concrete cut-outs. Essentially, it’s your typical Kentucky Coffeetree, but there’s no seed pods. The Kentucky coffeetree is native to the central states of America from Pennsylvania to Nebraska and from Minnesota to Oklahoma. This name refers to the large, coarse branches (without smaller twigs) that remain after the rachis and petiole of the bipinnately compound leaves fall. Tree size: Reaches a height of 30 to 50 feet with a spread of 40 to 55 feet. Male selections include ‘Espresso.'. Is one of the last trees to leaf out in the spring. However, caution must be taken because the seeds and pods are poisonous. 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