Native Trees of Kentucky 



97 



Kciitnekv Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioicus. 



The Coffee Tree, although 

 one of the rarest of our hard 

 wood trees, has few equals in 

 the extent of its range. In 

 Kentucky, it is found in the 

 central and western parts of 

 the State. This tree received 

 its local name from Kentucky 

 pioneers, who believed that in 

 its seeds, they had found a 

 substitute for coffee. 



The wood, strong, soft and 

 durable, is used for fences and 

 in light construction work. 



The tree is conspicuous for its stiff, dead looking branches, 

 which remain bare in spring until other trees are in full leaf. 



The ornamental form and unusual character of the leaves are 

 features peculiar to the Coffee Tree and Honey Locust. 



The flowers are inconspicuous, and of tu'O kinds : staminate 

 and pistillate, borne on separate trees. 



Tree tall, straight, with thick, thornless branches. 



Bark dark gray, deeply furrowed. 



Leaves twice pinnate, 1 to 3 feet long, sensitive. 



Fruit clumsy, thick-skinned pods containing a sweet pulp. 



