Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

40-60'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Messy

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Tropical, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Park, Parking Lot, Roadside, Street Tree

 

Special Uses

Screen, Shade Tree

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Kentucky Coffeetree is a wonderful, durable, under-utilized deciduous tree that grows 45 to 60 feet tall and 25 to 40 feet wide. It is narrow in its youth, almost gawky, but grows into a broad, picturesque tree with age. The huge compound bluish green leaves emerge late in the spring, and have a tropical look. It has an open, airy canopy that casts a dappled shade. Female trees bear long, slender seed pods that create a contrasting texture among the leaves. For landscapes where the pods would be considered a nuisance rather than an ornamental feature, choose a male selection such as ‘Espresso.’

Grow in full sun and well drained soil. Kentucky Coffeetree is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions including alkaline soils, drought, heat, cold, and road salts. No insects and disease issues. Widespread across Eastern North America but common nowhere, it ranges as far west as Oklahoma and Nebraska and north to Ontario and south to Tennessee. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4. A legume, it fixes nitrogen and so thrives in poor, unfertile soils. The pods are a crafters delight.