Gymnocladus dioicus

RHS Plant Profile

Kentucky coffee tree

RHS

Other common names

chicot

Trees

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A slow-growing, spreading deciduous tree with large, bipinnate leaves up to 1m long. Each leaflet is divided into 8-14 oval, softly hairy, dark green leaflets. These are pink-tinged when young, and turn yellow in autumn. Young shoots have a grey-white bloom, most noticeable in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Gymnocladus are deciduous trees with a spreading habit and large, bipinnate leaves. The inconspicuous flowers are unlikely to appear in the UK as the summers are not hot enough
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: C & E N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown as a specimen tree in deep, fertile, moist but wel-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or take root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free