Kentucky Coffee Tree

Other names

Nicker Tree, Chicot

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, PA to NE, South to TX and MS

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Floriculture War Memorial Trail, Sculpture Garden, Urban Tree Collection

Source of plant

Farm Services, Cornell, Edmund Pfeifer, Bill Schneider

Description

Tree reaching 60' to 75' (to 90') in height with a spread of 40' to 50' with vertical ascending brancheswhich form a narrow, obovate crown; bare-limbed and somewhat clumsy looking, although picturesque, in winter. Bark rough, with hard, thin, firm and scaly ridges curling outward aong their edges; very uniqueand interesting bark pattern which develops on 1" to 2" diameter branches; bark grayish to dark brown. One of the last trees to leaf out in spring; new leaves are pinkish tinged, gradually changing to dark green, almost dark bluish-green in summer; fall color is often ineffective, although it can be an excellent yellow. Flowers dioecious to polygamo-dioecious, greenish-white, effective in late May into early June,borne in 8" to 12" long, 3" to 4" wide pyramidal panicles on female trees, while on male trees the panicle is about 1/3 the length of the female's. Female flowers with rose-like scent.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

growth habit

Status

L1|S1|G5