Coffeetree, Kentucky

The Kentucky Coffeetree typically grows to heights between 60 and 75 feet with spreads between 40 and 50 feet. As the tree grows, the crown changes from an upright and irregular shape to a dense, symmetrical, obovate shape. For best growth, plant the tree in deep, moist, alkaline soils with full sun. Although the tree is very tolerant of different soils and locations, it does not thrive in constantly wet areas.

The alternate, bipinnately compound LEAVES grow to 3’ long and 2’ wide. Each leaf has 3-7 pairs of pinnae that alternately attach to the central rachis. The lower pinnae are usually just a single leaflet while the upper have 6-14 leaflets that are alternately attached to a rachilla. The leaves turn from a bronzed color when young to a dark green during the summer and finally to a yellow-green color in the fall. Each leaflet is an elliptical shape.

In May or early June, the Kentucky Coffeetree produces dioecious FLOWERS. The greenish white flowers have 4-5 petals. The male flowers are thicker and shorter than the female flowers, but come in a greater abundance. The female flowers also carry a pleasant fragrance.

The FRUIT is a reddish brown or brownish black leathery pod. Every second or third year the fruiting is very heavy while in the between years, the fruiting is light. Each pod contains several round, hard dark SEEDS. The seeds are contained in a sticky pulp and the fruit ripens in October.

The grayish brown BARK is rough with flattened ridges and shallow fissures. The TWIGS have very noticeable leaf scars.

The leaves and seeds of this tree have been reported as poisonous to humans. Reports of cattle dying because they drank water in which seeds had fallen into have been made.