Kentucky Coffee Tree is easily grown from seeds offered from the GreenDealer Exotic Seeds Selection of Unusual Trees and Shrubs. Pioneers roasted the hard seeds as a coffee substitute.

The Kentucky Coffee Tree is native to the eastern and central portions of the United States. The specimens shown above were photographed in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky. It can mature to a very stately tree of more than 100 ft. in height. It has large compound leaves clustered on a relatively small number of branches. Greenish-white flowers appear in spring followed by 3 to 5 inch thick curved seed pods (shown above) which remain on the tree until the following spring when they drop pointed end down into the soil where they deposit their 1 inch seeds. Both male and female trees are necessary to produce the fruit/seed pods.

Kentucky Coffee Tree is not recommended for areas where the seeds will drop onto roofs or patios. The combination of the downward pointing seed pods with sharp points and a bit of weight from the seeds can be a nuisance and, in time can cause damage.

This tree prefers soil rich in humus and an open area away from human and pet habitation and activities.

Hardy in climate zones 4 - 8.

© 1998 Michael King