Kentucky coffee tree
Also known as: chicot
A slow-growing, spreading deciduous tree with large, bipinnate leaves up to 1m long. Each leaflet is divided into 8-14 oval, softly hairy, dark green leaflets. These are pink-tinged when young, and turn yellow in autumn. Young shoots have a grey-white bloom, most noticeable in winter
Scientific classification
- Species
- Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- Genus
- Gymnocladus
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Toxicity
- Trees
- Plant type
- Higher than 12 metres
- Height
- wider than 8 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Autumn · Spring · Summer · Winter
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Kentucky coffee tree pictures
Distribution of Kentucky coffee tree
Distribution map
C and Eastern Northern America
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Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of Kentucky coffee tree
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Kentucky coffee tree care guide
- Deep watering in dry spells, established trees withstand short drought
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Deep watering in dry spells, established trees withstand short drought
Fertilizing
FertilizingSlow-release tree nutrition one application every early spring yearly
Pruning
PruningLittle pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn, or take root cuttings in winter
Growing
GrowingBest grown as a specimen tree in deep, fertile, moist but wel-drained soil in full sun
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Pests
Generally pest-free
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