Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioica)
Family : Fabaceace
Zone: 3 - 8
Zone: 3 - 8
Rare native tree growing in the central and eastern United States, north to Ontario and Quebec. Large tree growing up to 80 ft at maturity with an oval shape to the crown, preferring moist, well drained, rich organic soils. Notable doubly compound leaves often reach 3 ft in length with as many as 70 leaflets! As indicated by the scientific name, this species is dioecious with separate male and female trees. Female trees produce flat, reddish brown seed pods which were roasted and ground by Native Americans and early pioneers to make a coffee-like beverage. However the unroasted seeds are toxic to man and beast and should be avoided by pets.