This large, suckering tree produces fragrant showy flowers, followed by a bean-like seedpod and was used in times of scarcity to make a coffee-like beverage. The seeds are very toxic before roasting and should never be eaten raw.
Latin Name
Gymnocladus dioicus
Family
Fabaceae
Type of Plant
Trees
Bloom Season
May - June
Seasons
Spring
Specifications
Max Height: 80'
Max Spread: 55'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Tolerances
Toxicity
Do not ingest
Colors
Native Range
Eastern and Central North America
History
Washington records in his diary on April 13, 1785 that he "Planted & Sowed in boxes placed in front of the Green House" "...Eight Nuts from a tree called the Kentucke Coffee tree; these had been steeped 48 hours."
Other Details
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
Shop Now