Kentucky Coffee Tree

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.