Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus 
Kentucky coffeetree is distributed throughout the state although it is most common in the western part of Missouri. It rarely grows in pure stands and is usually found growing with other hardwoods. It is a legume and the large persistent seedpods and short, heavy twigs make this tree distinctive in winter.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 85 ft
- Spread
- 65 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, doubly compound, 12" - 30" long; the axes with 3-8 pairs of side axes; leaflets 1" - 3" long, oval, dull green
- Flowers
- male and female flowers on separate trees; 5/8" - 3/4" long, greenish-white, with narrow tube and 4-5 spreading petals
- Fruit
- dark brown, heavy wooden pod, 4" - 7" long; seeds 3/4" in diameter, shiny dark brown
- Bark
- gray, deeply furrowed into narrow scaly ridges often curling up on one edge
- Associated species
- green ash, silver maple, black walnut, hackberry
- Ideal site conditions
- moist soilfull sun
- Value to man
- landscapingwindbreakserosion
- Value to wildlife
- food
- Growth Rate
- slow
- Range
