Gymnocladus Species, Dead Tree, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Stump Tree
Gymnocladus dioica
Family: | Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Gymnocladus (jim-no-KLAD-us) (Info) |
Species: | dioica (dy-oh-EE-kuh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Guilandina dioica |
Synonym: | Gymnocladus canadensis |
Synonym: | Gymnocladus dioicus |
Category:
Trees
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Deciduous
Foliage Color:
Height:
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Spacing:
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Denver, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado
Hinsdale, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Benton, Kentucky
Clermont, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Nicholasville, Kentucky
Paris, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
Silver Spring, Maryland
Battle Creek, Michigan
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Novi, Michigan
Buffalo, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota(3 reports)
Roswell, New Mexico
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Nashville, Tennessee
Orem, Utah
Wytheville, Virginia
Grand Mound, Washington
Rochester, Washington
Ellsworth, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Dec 19, 2013, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote: Nice, stout, macho shade tree with a bold outline that grows about 1 ft/yr and lives about 100 to 150 years. Dioecious, having separate male and female trees, so that the females bear the thick, stout pods. There are some male cultivars for those who don't want fruit. |
Positive | On Apr 18, 2011, Shaunapie from Chambersburg, PA wrote: One of these trees grows outside my dorm I collected some seeds last month and cleaned them up the first one i've tried to grow already has roots going! |
Positive | On Jun 25, 2008, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Not very common in the Twin Cities area - they are fairly rare and the largest number I have seen is at the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus but in a bit remote location and also at the Minnesota Arboretum. |
Positive | On Feb 19, 2008, lobsterandi from Minneapolis, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: The tree provides nice shade, but not such a dark shade that plants can't be grown underneath it. It seems to grow decently well anywhere... Its a pretty tree, turns very yellow in the fall. |
Positive | On Nov 29, 2004, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote: This tree is mostly native West of the Applachians. It's seeds were roasted and used as coffee in some areas during the Civil War. |
Positive | On Sep 7, 2003, Glowclubbr from Silver Spring, MD wrote: In Windsor, Ontario: it is nearly extinct in the wild, where it generally grows slowly. In intensive cultivation (i.e., water, abundant fertilizer, mulch, and no turf ), I had a seedling grow very fast - 20 feet in 5 years. However they do grow slowly after larger trees are transplanted. |
Positive | On Jun 24, 2003, garbanzito from Denver, CO (Zone 5a) wrote: Recommended as a lower-water street tree in Denver, CO. Slow-growing and leafs out late, which is a good defense against spring snows. As it matures, Gymnocladus dioicus gains a wonderfully angular winter profile. |
Neutral | On Aug 31, 2001, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: This tree is a durable tree with an attractive form. The female trees produce fruit (pods that look lima bean-like) and are initially green, developing to brown, may persist for several years. The seeds can be slightly poisonous. Leaf color in autumn is yellow. This tree can reach a height of 80'. |