Gymocladus dioica | Kentucky Coffee Tree

Native to Midwest America, the Gymocladus dioica has been planted in the UK since the 1750's. This is a slow-growing, medium to large deciduous tree with a loose, open crown and thick branches. It has very large pinnate leaves, up to 1m long and wide with 8-14 leaflets, these are pink-tinged when young, turning green in summer then a glorious yellow before falling in autumn. Grey bark is thick with a rough texture and deeply grooved, new branches are pale grey, almost white, creating a ghostly white bloom in winter. The Gymocladus dioica has greenish-white flowers, however it rarely flowers in the UK because our summers are cooler. In countries where flowers occur, hard leguminous fruit appears, up to 25 cm in length, after the flowers. These fruit turn brown as they ripen and remain hanging on the tree for a long time. The Gymocladus dioica is a striking, ornamental tree suitable for most gardens and woodland areas; although sadly is a rare sight in the UK.