Gymnocladus dioicus aka Kentucky Coffee Tree

Gymnocladus dioicus, the Kentucky coffeetree, belongs to the legume family. It grows wild in southeastern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It lives in rich woods, on wooded slopes, and in floodplains. This large tree loses its leaves each year. Garden trees reach 60–80 feet [18.3–24.4 metres] tall. Their crowns span 40–55 feet [12.2–16.8 metres]. Some trees exceed 80 feet [24.4 metres]. Growth slows with age, though young trees can grow fast.

The crown is open, with thick branches and an uneven outline. Gray-brown bark has deep cracks and raised, scaly strips. Stout twigs bend in a slight zigzag. Small buds sit deep in the wood beside heart-shaped leaf scars. The bipinnate leaves reach 3 feet [0.9 metres] long. They can span 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. New leaves have a pink-bronze tint, then turn blue-green. Leaves emerge late in spring and fall early in autumn. Fall color can be yellow, but varies from year to year.

Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Green-white blooms appear near branch tips in May and June. Female trees bear fragrant flowers in longer panicles than males. Their flat, brown pods ripen in fall and remain through winter. Pods reach about 0.8 feet [0.25 metres] long. Each holds several hard seeds within sticky pulp. Male trees produce no pods, so they create less litter. Bare branches and hanging pods give the tree winter interest.

Plant it in full sun with deep, rich, moist soil. Good drainage suits it, though it withstands brief flooding. It accepts many soil types and acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions. It also tolerates drought and polluted city air. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 3–8; RHS rates it H5. Large lawns and parks offer room for its broad crown. It provides shade and hosts the larvae of two moth species. Serious pests and diseases are rare, but leaves and pods make litter.

People once roasted and ground the seeds for a caffeine-free drink. This past use does not make raw seeds safe. Leaves, seeds, and pulp poison people, pets, and livestock. Eating them can cause gut pain, vomiting, and worse illness. People also used fruit pulp for fever and headaches. These are historical uses, not evidence of safe treatment. The wood serves in cabinet making.