Kentucky Coffeetree
Scientific Name: Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch
Other common names: Coffeetree
Family: Fabaceae (pea/legume family)
Native Range: Native to extreme southwestern Ontario; also planted widely beyond natural range in Southern Ontario.

Size & Growth
Typical: 15–25 m tall
Maximum recorded heights: Up to ~25 m
Trunk Diameter
Average: Around 40–60 cm
Maximum: Up to ~1 m
Growth Rate (circle):
Slow ☐ Medium ☐ Fast ☐
Lifespan
Typical Lifespan: ~75–120+ years
Record Age: ~120+ years observed
Reproduction
Seed Maturity: Starts producing flowers and seeds in maturity (approx. 25+ years)
Reproductive Cycle: Fruit (pods) persists through winter; reproduction rare and limited in wild Ontario
Site Requirements
Soil Preferences: Grows in moist, rich soils; tolerates a range including shallow rocky, sandy or clay soils
Water Needs: Moist soils preferred; tolerates drought once established
Canadian & USDA Hardiness Zones:
Not definitively listed
Bark
Young trees: Smooth, dark grey
Mature Trees: Dark grey with scaly ridges curling outward

Leaves
Number per bundle:
Not applicable
Length: Doubly pinnately compound leaves up to ~60–90 cm (largest of any native Canadian tree)
Shape: Doubly compound with many small oval leaflets
Colour: Dark green

Fruit pods 12–20 cm long
Shape:
Long leathery pods
Scales / Color: Husk hard and dark brown
Seeds
Size: Seeds ~2–3 cm in pods
Dispersal: Seed dispersal limited; pods remain past leaf fall
Growth Form
Shape: Upright canopy tree; narrow crown
Height: Typically mid-sized to large (~15–25 m)
Reproductive Features
Flowers: Greenish‑white in clusters, bloom with leaves in spring
Male / Female: Male and female flowers usually occur on separate trees (dioecious)
Pollination: Insect‑pollinated
Seed Maturity: Seeds develop through summer and remain into winter
Unique Features
Largest leaves of any native Canadian tree
Seeds and pods retained on tree through winter
Rare native in Ontario with limited natural reproduction

Fire & Disturbance
Fire Resistance: Low medium (shade‑intolerant, benefits from open canopy)
Fire Regeneration: Not documented as fire‑adaptive; regeneration limited
Shade Tolerance: Shade‑intolerant; grows best in open or edge conditions

Strength & Wood Properties
Strength Rating: Moderate to high; used for lumber
Decay Resistance: Moderate
Pest/Disease Resistance:
Not specifically documented
Climate Adaptability: Tolerates a range of conditions in Ontario planted landscapes
Uses
Timber: Furniture, cabinetry, fence posts
Non‑timber products: Shade and ornamental planting
Ecological Role
Importance for wildlife: Nest sites for birds; seeds toxic so not widely eaten by wildlife
Role in forest ecosystems: Component of floodplain and open woodlands
Cultural Significance
Historical Use: Seeds once roasted as coffee substitute (not recommended due to toxicity)
Threats
Current conservation concerns or invasive threats:
Species at risk in Ontario; <500 mature wild trees; habitat loss, canopy closure, competition and shade intolerance limit reproduction
Sources:
Ontario.ca – Kentucky Coffeetree
Ontario.ca – Species at Risk – Kentucky Coffeetree
Canada.ca – Species at Risk Public Registry – Kentucky Coffeetree
Reforest London – Kentucky Coffeetree