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Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus

Last reviewed: October 2026

Kentucky Coffee-Tree is a large deciduous tree that blooms in June and July, grows best in full sun, and tolerates medium to drier soils once established.

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Photo: (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Kentucky Coffeetree is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

900"–1200" H × 480"–600" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AR, GA, IA, IL and 20 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths

Before you buy

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Kentucky Coffee Tree is a large native shade tree with distinctive compound leaves and interesting branching patterns. It produces fragrant clusters of small white flowers in early summer, followed by large brown seed pods that persist through winter.

Growing Kentucky Coffeetree

Grow Kentucky Coffeetree in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 900 to 1200 inches tall and spread 480 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Kentucky Coffeetree is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

  • Large seed pods may require cleanup
  • Takes many years to reach mature size

Wildlife value

Host plant for Ceratomia catalpae.

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators during its June-July bloom period. Birds may use the sturdy branches for nesting, though the tree provides limited food sources compared to other natives.

Common questions

When does Kentucky Coffee-Tree bloom?
It flowers in June and July, producing greenish white clusters that are easy to miss from a distance.
How much light does Kentucky Coffee-Tree need?
It grows best in full sun but will tolerate part sun to part shade, especially when young.
How much water does this tree require?
It does well with medium moisture and becomes fairly drought tolerant once its root system is established.
What pollinates Kentucky Coffee-Tree flowers?
Bees are the main visitors to its small, fragrant summer flowers.
Is Kentucky Coffee-Tree evergreen?
No, it is deciduous and drops its compound leaves in fall, leaving a distinctive coarse branching pattern in winter.
Is Kentucky Coffeetree toxic to livestock?
Kentucky Coffeetree is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Kentucky Coffeetree HOA-friendly?
Kentucky Coffeetree is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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