About this tree
Native to the central United States, Gymnocladus dioicus is a unique and striking deciduous tree that grows up to 25 m tall. It features large, bipinnately compound leaves, up to 90 cm long, which give it a tropical appearance. The leaves emerge late in spring and turn bright yellow in autumn. The tree is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees; both types of flowers are greenish-white and appear in late spring. Female trees produce large, dark seed pods that can persist through winter. Though the seeds are toxic when raw, Native Americans once roasted them to create a caffeine-free coffee substitute – hence the name “coffee tree”. The tree’s coarse winter silhouette and rough, grey bark add seasonal interest. It is tolerant of drought, pollution, and poor soils, making it well suited to urban environments, where it is often planted as a hardy, low-maintenance ornamental. Its canopy provides light shade, allowing grass and undergrowth to flourish. While not heavily used by wildlife, its seeds are occasionally eaten by squirrels and deer. An unusual fact: despite its North American origin, the Kentucky coffee tree is considered a “relict species”, with few wild populations and a mysterious evolutionary history.