Gymnocladus chinensis ( Chinese Coffee Tree ) -
Very close to extinct in it's native China this is one of the worlds rarest trees and is a close relative of the Kentucky Coffee Tree in the U.S. Most in the wild are growing in poor soil conditions in the most isolated places in the worlds most crowded countries and the eventual size is unknown. However due to vigor of National Arboretum trees and lack of pest & diseases I would estimate these trees have the potential of 140 x 100 feet with a trunk diameter up to 6 feet. it can also grow 3 feet in a year. Considered to be hardy north to zone 7, it may be much hardier however not been tried in colder regions. However it most certainly does enjoy the hot humid summers in the southeast U.S. ( not recommended for western Europe ).
Its massive ferny 45 x24 inch leaves broken down to
RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TREE!
* photos taken @ U.S. National Arboretum
* photo taken on may 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Gymnocladus dioica ( Kentucky Coffee Tree ) -
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is a native of midwest U.S.a. and Ontario, Canada but is hardy anywhere from zones 2 - 8 and is used as a street and parking lot tree as far north as Ottawa and even further.
It is a handscome fast growing tree that looks like the Honey Locust on steroids. Its light gray bark is coarsely textured and combined with its thick branchlets, this tree has a striking winter appearance.
It grows fast ( usually 2 but sometimes 5 feet in a single year ) to 60 x 33 feet in 20 years. Usually 80 feet when mature it can grow much more to 140 x 100 feet in size with a trunk up to 6.4 feet in diameter. very large trees have been noted in Essex County, Ontario; Lake County, Ohio and in Philadelphia and Maryland and many other places. they also grow large in harsher climates outside its native range ( 80 feet in Colorado, and 75 feet in Boise, Idaho ).
The leaves grow to 4 feet long and are composed of up to 100 or more 5 x 3 inch leaflets opening attractive pink-red turning dark green in summer then yellow in the fall.
The flower clusters grow up to 15 inches long and are greenish white in early summer and are followed by pods up to 15 inches long in the fall and winter.
It is very salt, flood, drought and urban tolerant making it an excellent street tree however is best in deep rich soil for its deep wide roots. it should be pruned in September since it can bleed in the spring.
For new plants - soak seeds in sulfuric acic for 4 hours and wash under cold water for 15 minutes then sow 1" deep. no scarification needed - or if can be soaked for 24 hours in water then soaked in sulfuric acid for 2 hours then filed. Germination these ways is in 2 weeks; naturally it can take up to 8 years.
Pieces of roots 4 to 5 inches long can also be placed in prepared beds and kept moist and will develop in first year into sizable plants up to 4 feet tall.
The seeds were used by earlier settlers as a substitute for coffee. the Natives ate and cooked the seeds.
The Kentucky Coffee Tree has strong durable wood used for furniture, window sills and posts.
* photos taken @ Tyler Arboretum, Philly, PA
* photo taken in Howard County, Maryland
* photo taken Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum
* photos from unknown source
* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum
* photo taken on may 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD
* photos taken on may 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD
'Prairie Titan'
A male form with a handsome upright habit and great architectural appeal in winter. it is fast growing to 30 x 16 feet in 10 years. the blue green foliage often turns intense golden yellow in the fall. Hardy zones 3 to 8
'Variegata'
has variegated cream foliage