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Gymnocladus dioica

Gymnocladus dioica

Kentucky coffee tree, Chicot

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Description

Gymnocladus dioica (Kentucky coffee tree) originated in the United States, where it is widely distributed but rare. Gymnocladus dioica naturally grows on moist slopes or in the flood plains of rivers, where the tree can reach a mature height of 30 metres. In cultivation, the Kentucky coffee tree grows slowly, but eventually it can reach heights of 20 metres, with an oval, semi-open to open irregular crown. Gymnocladus dioica gets its name from the Greek words gymnos (naked) and klados (branch), which refers to its thick branches that particularly stand out in winter. Dioicus literally means ‘two houses’: there are male and female specimens.

The leaves of the Kentucky coffee tree bud bronze in spring, then turn light green with beautiful red petioles and in autumn, they are a beautiful bright yellow. The decorative leaves grow up to 80 centimetres, are doubly pinnate and mainly grow on the outside of the crown, creating a transparent umbrella shape in older trees. After the leaves fall, the petioles stay on the tree for a while. Gymnocladus dioica bloom long racemes of star-shaped, fragrant white flowers in June, from which striking large, toxic, grey-blue legumes grow. The decorative legumes stay on the tree for a long time in winter. The irregular, furrowed trunk of the Kentucky coffee tree is very decorative. 

Gymnocladus dioica tolerates hot summers and cold winters, enabling it to properly handle an urban climate. The species has very deep roots, has no diseases and is quite wind-proof and is thus not only suitable for use in parks and large gardens, but also in squares, streets and avenues. Do ensure a decent, underground growth environment. The Kentucky coffee tree prefers fertile soil, such as river clay, loam and loess. But it also thrives in lighter sand soil. For the best growth, plant Gymnocladus dioica in a sunny to lightly shaded environment.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

climate planting solid planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide oval wide oval

Crown structure

open open

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

6 - 9 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees nectar value 1 pollen value 0

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Gymnocladus dioica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Gymnocladus dioica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Gymnocladus dioica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Gymnocladus dioica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Gymnocladus dioica standard tree
characteristic characteristic
Gymnocladus dioica characteristic
characteristic characteristic
Gymnocladus dioica characteristic
characteristic characteristic
Gymnocladus dioica characteristic
characteristic characteristic
Gymnocladus dioica characteristic
half-stem half-stem
Gymnocladus dioica half-stem
half-stem half-stem
Gymnocladus dioica half-stem
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Gymnocladus dioica multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Gymnocladus dioica multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Gymnocladus dioica multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Gymnocladus dioica multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Gymnocladus dioica multi-stem umbrella
flowers flowers
Gymnocladus dioica flowers
flowers flowers
Gymnocladus dioica flowers
flowers flowers
Gymnocladus dioica flowers
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
leaves leaves
Gymnocladus dioica leaves
fruits fruits
Gymnocladus dioica fruits
fruits fruits
Gymnocladus dioica fruits
fruits fruits
Gymnocladus dioica fruits
fruits fruits
Gymnocladus dioica fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Gymnocladus dioica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Gymnocladus dioica autumn leaves
bark bark
Gymnocladus dioica bark
bark bark
Gymnocladus dioica bark
bark bark
Gymnocladus dioica bark
bark bark
Gymnocladus dioica bark
twigs twigs
Gymnocladus dioica twigs
twigs twigs
Gymnocladus dioica twigs
twigs twigs
Gymnocladus dioica twigs
twigs twigs
Gymnocladus dioica twigs

Seasonal colours

Gymnocladus dioica seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

raceme star-shaped striking pendulous big scented

Flower colour

white green

Flowering period

June

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze matt green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid big bipinnate composite nitrogen fixing

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown grey-blue

Fruits

striking toxic large frosty pod

Bark

Bark colour

grey-black

Bark

deeply furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-blue

Twigs

frosty thickly branched short shoots

Root system

Root system

deep extensive tap root root suckers

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Location
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Types of planting
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Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
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Topiary on stem
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Aspects
Wind
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Soil
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Nutrient level
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Soil moisture level
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Light requirements
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PH range
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Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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