All About the Kentucky Coffeetree:
Scientific Nomenclature: Gymnocladus dioicus
Common Names: Kentucky coffeetree, American coffee berry, Kentucky mahogany, stump tree
Mature Height: 60–75 feet
Mature Spread: 40–50 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Attracts Wildlife: Bees, butterflies and birds
Messiness: Large black to red-brown fruit pods resembling bean pods mature and drop in autumn or winter. The tree drops its leaves in autumn.
Shape: Oval/Irregular
Native to Kentucky: Yes
Preferred Soils: Prefers well-drained clay, loam or sand with high organic matter content. It is generally tolerant of all soil types, whether acidic (<6.0pH), neutral (6.0–8.0pH) or alkaline (>8.0pH).
Screening: Not used as a privacy tree.
Drought Tolerance: Is exceptionally tolerant of drought and urban conditions.
Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous tree
Pruning: Never or very rarely needs to be pruned. The coffeetree is a slow-growing, relatively short-lived tree.
Climate Quick Facts:
Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one Kentucky coffeetree will:
- Sequester ~224 pounds of CO2.
- Reduce stormwater runoff by 271 gallons.