Kentucky Coffee Tree Facts: Lifespan, Habitat, Uses And Much More

Native to eastern North America, the Kentucky coffee tree is considered a rare species and was already under the threatened species category when the Endangered Species Act was implemented in 2008.

The Kentucky coffee tree grows as tall as 60–70 ft (18-21 m) high, and its leaf spreads up to 40–50 ft (12-15 m). The tree is unique for its large, woody pods, and massive leaves.

It is believed that indigenous communities and the early settlers of North America used the brown, small seeds from the ripened pods as a substitute for coffee. They would roast the dried seeds and prepare them as we do with coffee beans.

However, in their raw form, the pods from the Kentucky coffee tree are toxic and must be strictly avoided.

The bark of the tree is covered with flaky scales and prominent furrows and ridges. It ranges from dark brown to gray in color. However, in young trees, the bark is gray with curled flakes, and in maturity, the bark is characterized by its tanned, irregular and rough texture.

The tree starts to blossom from May to early June, producing greenish-white flowers, and the female flowers create a rosy fragrance. The male flowers are arranged in a cluster forming a corymb, and the female trees generally bear their flowers in a panicle.

The flowers can generally grow up to 3.9 in (10 cm) tall and to 11.8 in (30 cm) in length.

Lifespan Of The Tree

The Kentucky coffee tree is a medium-sized tree with a fairly short lifespan. These trees have a general lifespan of 100 years. However, in some cases, the deciduous tree can live up to 150 years, depending upon several physiological and environmental factors like weather, climate, nutrition, drought, and so on.

The leaves emerge in the late spring, followed by the pods, which initially sprout green in early summer and grow up to 5-10 in (130-250 mm), but later turn brown by late winter. The bipinnately compound leaves of the tree also bear several leaflets.

The trees are dioecious, so the male and the female flowers develop on different trees. After fertilization, the fruits are produced inside the woody, brown pods which contain a sticky pulp and withstand the winter.

These trees lack any terminal buds, and have sunken, bronze-colored lateral buds. During the early fall, the branches shed their leaves and the trees take on a naked appearance during the winter months. However, during the spring and summer season, the trees return to their vibrant green form.

Habitat Of The Tree

The Kentucky coffee tree belongs to the legume family and is believed to have been introduced by indigenous communities.

The tree's native distribution is restricted only to specific regions in Canada and the United States, where it is found in Kentucky, Kansas, Dakota, Michigan and in other places, making it a threatened species. These trees are often found in patches with linked root systems.

Kentucky coffee trees are well-adapted to various unfavorable environmental conditions such as drought and low temperatures. The trees can grow in numerous habitats and can adapt to various soil conditions, but they grow best on moist and rich soil.

The species are drought-tolerant and require constant and direct sunlight for at least six hours.

Pros And Cons

Due to their slow to medium growth rate, these trees are often used for decorating parks, sidewalks, and streets.

However, the fallen leaves and fallen seed pods of these trees often litter the streets and sidewalks, causing a mess.

The light brown wood of the tree serves as excellent firewood, but due to its rarity, it doesn't have much commercial significance. However, a few decades back, railway sleeper cars were built from the wood of this tree.

Cultivating the Kentucky coffee tree is not very difficult, as it can be grown easily from a root cutting, or its seeds can be soaked in water for 24 hours before planting.

Evidence shows that earlier, the pulp of the Kentucky coffee tree's wood was used for various herbal treatments and a mixture made from its leaves and pulp was used as a laxative.

The seeds in their raw form contain a toxic alkaloid called cytosine which can be detrimental to human health. However, if they are dried and roasted, the toxins are neutralized, and the seeds can be processed as coffee beans are.

FAQs

How fast does a Kentucky coffee tree grow?

The Kentucky coffee tree grows 12-24 in (0.31-0.61 m) per year, to a height of 60-70 ft (18-21 m).

Does a Kentucky coffee tree have thorns?

The branches and twigs of the tree often bear branched thorns.

Are the seeds of the Kentucky coffee tree edible?

The seeds bear a toxin called cytosine in their raw form. However, when dried, the seeds were often used as a substitute for coffee beans.

Are Kentucky coffee trees rare?

The geographical distribution of the Kentucky coffee tree is restricted only to certain regions of North America and Canada, making it a rare species.

How long do Kentucky coffee trees live?

They are considered to have a general lifespan of 100 years, but in some instances, the deciduous tree can live up to 150 years.

How do you identify a Kentucky coffee tree?

The Kentucky coffee tree is identified by its branches, which are very stout and thick, and its bipinnately compound leaves are divided into several leaflets.