Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Kentucky coffee tree can be considered a “near-native” tree (it’s a Carolinian species, native to Southwestern Ontario). Planting more southern-adapted trees is an example of climate change adaptation. This tree is often planted in urban areas because it casts a beautiful shade with its small leaflets, while being tolerant to drought and poor soil conditions. There are no animals that disperse the seed pods, so it is presumed that the tree evolved alongside extinct megafauna like giant sloths and mastodons. The seeds pods are poisonous but can be edible if processed correctly. First Nations like the Pawnee and Winnebago have traditionally processed and used the seed pods as food and medicine.
QUICK FACTS AND TREE CARE:
- Typical max height: 18 – 25 metres
- Flowering season: May to June
- Moisture and soil preference: grows best in well drained, moist, rich soils but can tolerate poorer soils and drought. Does not like heavy clay soil.
- Shade tolerance: low
- Site selection tip: in its native habitat it’s found in and along the edges of rich floodplain woodlands and marshes
- Companion planting tips: try growing this species with native wildflowers found in floodplains such as meadow rue, goldenrod and orange jewelweed
CLIMATE CHANGE STATS:
When this tree reaches 20 cm in diameter, it will provide the following benefits yearly*:
- 13.4 lbs carbon sequestered
- Stormwater mitigation:
- 151 liters of runoff avoided
- 7772 liters of rainfall intercepted
*Stats provided by: MyTree