Kentucky Coffeetree

Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a large deciduous shade tree with stout branching and a high, open crown. Its very large compound leaves emerge late, turn yellow in autumn, and leave a striking branching silhouette through winter. ## Form and Seasonal Interest Allow room for a mature tree roughly 60–75 feet tall and 40–50 feet wide; site conditions affect its eventual size. The [University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension profile](https://horticulture.ca.uky.edu/sites/horticulture.ca.uky.edu/files/KY%20Coffeetree%20-%20Gymnocladus%20dioicus.pdf) describes this size range, pink-bronze spring leaves, yellow fall color, and coarse winter branches. The tree is dioecious, so female trees may carry large woody seed pods. ## Siting Plant in full sun where the broad crown can develop. It prefers rich, moist soil but tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry, compacted, or alkaline conditions, according to the same Kentucky Extension profile. The [Iowa State University tree guide](https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/kentucky_coffeetree.html) reports USDA zones 3–8 and a 60–75 foot height with a 40–50 foot spread. ## Maintenance Prune in winter or early spring to establish sound structure. Plan for large leaves and, on female trees, pods to fall; keep seeds and pods away from children and animals because Kentucky Extension reports they are poisonous.