Kentucky Coffeetree
Kentucky Coffeetree is a large tree with large, compound leaves. The canopy is broad and round when the tree is mature, making it a decent shade tree.
Male trees have smaller 4-inch flowers, while female trees have larger, showier and more fragrant clusters of flowers - up to 12 inches long. The flowers transform into a brown bean-shaped pod that will persist into winter after all the leaves have fallen.
In fall, the leaves turn bright yellow. The bark is brown and heavily textured with ridges and furrows.
Kentucky coffeetree is a fabulous low water, large shade tree for the Colorado Springs area.
Kentucky Coffeetree
Kentucky Coffeetree is a large tree with large, compound leaves. The canopy is broad and round when the tree is mature, making it a decent shade tree.
Male trees have smaller 4-inch flowers, while female trees have larger, showier and more fragrant clusters of flowers - up to 12 inches long. The flowers transform into a brown bean-shaped pod that will persist into winter after all the leaves have fallen.
In fall, the leaves turn bright yellow. The bark is brown and heavily textured with ridges and furrows.
Kentucky coffeetree is a fabulous low water, large shade tree for the Colorado Springs area.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Gymnocladus dioicus
Pronunciation
jim-no-KLAD-us dy-oh-EE-kuh
Mature Height
40 to 50 ft.
Mature Spread
40 to 50 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
yellow-green
Bloom time
early summer
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
central and eastern North America
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,500 ft.
Performance
There are two Kentucky coffeetrees growing at the Water Wise Demonstrations Garden, one at the Mesa Garden and another at the Cottonwood Creek Garden. They have become a nice shade trees over the years, and have a particularly interesting shape and structure in the winter.
The trees have not flowered much, but their drought tolerance and nice leaves make them great trees anyway.
Maintenance
Prune when young to develop a structurally strong tree when mature.