Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Gymnocladus dioicus

Kentucky coffee tree

Fabaceae
Central North America — Ohio and Mississippi River valleys; rich bottomlands and river floodplains

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height50-80 feet (15-24 m)
Width30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Gymnocladus dioicus is Kentucky coffee tree (Kentucky coffeetree), a large upright deciduous tree growing 50-80 feet (15-24 m) tall and 30-50 feet (9-15 m) wide. Blue-green bipinnately compound leaves 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) — among the largest compound leaves of any temperate tree. Individual leaflets 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). Turns yellow in fall. Dioecious — female trees produce white to greenish-white flower panicles 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in May-June, followed by thick brown seed pods 4-10 inches (10-25 cm). In Fabaceae. Native to central North America. The tree is leafless for 6+ months (late October to late May) — this extended leafless period is the primary aesthetic limitation. Plant male cultivars to avoid pod litter: 'Espresso', 'Stately Manor'. Seeds and raw pods are toxic (cytisine alkaloids). No significant insect or disease problems. Tolerates alkaline soil (pH to 8.0), drought, salt, and urban conditions. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to central North America — Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Found in rich bottomlands and river floodplains.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a street tree (male cultivars), shade tree, and park tree spaced 30-50 feet (9-15 m). Plant male cultivars only ('Espresso', 'Stately Manor'). Tolerates urban conditions. No significant pests. Leafless 6+ months. Toxic seeds. Deer-resistant. Native to North America. Zones 3-8.

How to Identify

Identified by very large bipinnately compound blue-green leaves 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) on a large deciduous tree with thick coarse branching and dark deeply ridged bark. The extremely large compound leaves and the thick coarse winter branching are diagnostic. Distinguished from Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust — smaller bipinnate leaves, thinner branching, thorns on species type) by the much larger compound leaves and the thicker branching. In Fabaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
green

Foliage Colors

blue green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummer
Late spring (May-June). White to greenish-white flowers in terminal panicles 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) on female trees. Lightly fragrant. 2 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated. Thick brown seed pods 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) on female trees.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to greenish-white, in terminal panicles 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) on female trees; male flowers in shorter racemes 3-4 inches (7-10 cm)

Foliage Description

Blue-green, bipinnately compound, 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) long — among the largest compound leaves of any temperate tree; turns yellow in fall; the individual leaflets are 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-8.0 — tolerates alkaline clay, salt, drought, and urban conditions. No significant pest or disease problems. Plant male cultivars to avoid pod litter. Seeds and raw pods toxic (cytisine). Leafless for 6+ months. Prune in late winter (February-March). Deer-resistant. Zones 3-8.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February-March). Develop a strong central leader when young — the tree tends toward co-dominant leaders. Remove dead, crossing, or weak-angled branches. The coarse thick branching is the natural winter character.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans