Kentucky Coffee Tree (common name)

Scientific Name: Gymnocladus Diocus (L.) K. Koch

Family: Classia

Native Range: CA5, NA3. USDA 3 to 8

Typical: 25m or 85 feet

Maximum recorded heights:

Trunk Diameter Average: 60 centimeters

Maximum:

Growth Rate: Slow Medium Fast

Typical Lifespan: 75 yrs

Record Age:

Seed Maturity (age at which it starts producing viable seeds):

Viable for several years (dry, cool environments)

Reproductive Cycle (how often it produces seeds..e.g., every 2-3 years):

Soil Preferences: moist, rich soils; tolerates a range including shallow rocky, sandy or clay soils

Shade Tolerance: intolerant

Water Needs: well drained soil, drought tolerant 

Bark on young trees: flakey, light brownish greyish/brown

Mature Trees: ridged, dark gray, vertical “plates” or flakes that curl at the edges of the lifted parts

Trunk and Form: narrow crown, slightly rectangular/boxy in structure form

Leaf number per bundle: 70 leaflets on 3 to 7 pairs of branches (central stalk easily mistaken for a stem)

Alternate or opposite: alternate

Length: 30 to 90 centimeters long (largest in North America)

Shape: oval/ovate widest at middle

Colour: green

Seed size: 2 centimeters

Dispersal: pod, needs water for germination, natural fall and wildlife

Shape: pod

Height: 12 to 20 centimeter pod

Flowers: whitish green, many small branches of clusters separate from seed and pollen flowers

Reproduction: Root suckering (sprout from root).

Dioecious, meaning male and female flowers form on separate trees. M has flowers but no pod, a female does produce a pod (looks like a bean or pea pod..and they're giant)

Pollination: insect

Seed Maturity: needs water for germination, temperamental rare species

Fire Resistance: medium. Fire suppression leads to a blocked canopy that restricts growth 

Fire Regeneration: yes, low intensity and prescribed burns help open canopy

Strength Rating: Moderate to high

Decay Resistance: high

Pest/Disease Resistance: Vulnerability to pests (e.g., white pine blister rust, pine weevils).

Climate Adaptability: low, tolerant of occasional flooding, dies back under canopy suppression

Uses for timber: reddish brown heavy wood used for cabinetry, general construction and fence posts

Non-timber products: wildlife habitats, canopy, soil reclamation, nesting site

Ecological Role:

Importance for wildlife: food for wildlife, insects, nesting sites but toxic (to human, cattle and livestock)

Role in forest ecosystem: Planted at mine spoils for soil reclamation and stabilization

Cultural Significance: 

Current conservation concerns or invasive threats:

Prolonged flooding.

Species at risk in Ontario; <500 mature wild trees; habitat loss, canopy closure, competition and shade intolerance limit reproduction

Slow reproduction from germination requirements, often found root suckering in small clusters

Historical Use: Seeds once roasted as coffee substitute by early settlers (not recommended due to toxicity)

Ontario.ca  Kentucky Coffeetree, Species at Risk,  Species at Risk Public Registry  

Reforest London 

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_gydi.pdf