PlantsTrees
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Architectural drought-tolerant shade tree
EasyTrees
- Light
- Full sun
- Moisture
- Dry–medium
- Mature size
- 50–80+ ft
- Spacing
- 35–60 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Late leaf-out; pods on female trees
- How it spreads
- Large open-crowned tree
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Confirm overhead and underground clearance before planting; keep large trees north or west of food beds to reduce shade.
