Area of origin: Canada, North America
Adult Dimensions: Height up to 20 m, width up to 15 m.
Foliage: Deciduous
Soil Type: Preferably organically rich and moist, from neutral to alkaline
Hardiness: Hardy to -25°C.
Exposure: Full sun.
Properties and uses:
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is not well –known in Europe yet.
It is a tall deciduous tree with large bipinnate compound green leaves, which can measure up to 1 m. They turn yellow in autumn.
Fragrant white flowers in panicles appear in June and have a good apiarian potential. In autumn, they give way to flattened reddish brown pods (25 cm long), which ripen in October and persist well into winter.
The seeds contained in the pods can be roasted and ground to brew a coffee-like beverage, hence the common name. But beware that the pods and the seeds are very toxic prior to roasting and should never be eaten fresh off the tree.
The bark is very decorative and cabinetmakers appreciate the wood of this tree.
The Kentucky Coffee Tree thrives in continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. There, it develops and grows more rapidly.