THE KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE 



IT is easy to see that this curious species is closely related to the much more familiar 

 and widely distributed Honey Locust. Evidence of this relationship is shown in 

 the enormous compound leaves, as well as in the large fruit-pods, the latter being 

 much shorter and thicker than the pods of the Honey Locust. The present species grows 

 in the rich bottom lands of the great south-central region bordered by New York, Penn- 

 sylvania, Ontario, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Tennessee. It seems everywhere to be a 

 comparatively rare and local species which, however, is sure to attract attention from the 

 most indifferent observer. It sometimes reaches a height of a hundred feet with a trunk 

 diameter of two or three feet, although of course it is generally of much smaller dimensions. 

 The leaves are often three feet long and of a characteristic doubly compound appearance, 

 shown in the picture on the middle of the plate. The pollen-bearing and the seed-bearing 

 flowers are upon separate trees. The former are in much shorter clusters than the latter, 

 all of the blossoms being greenish white in color. The fruit-pods reach a size of four to 

 eight inches and a width of about two inches. Within each pod are a half dozen or more 

 rather large seeds, in the midst of a curious sweetish pulp which is suggestive of the pulp 

 found in the seed-pods of the Honey Locust. 



The winter appearance of the Coffee Tree is not attractive, on account of the absence 

 of small branches and apparently of even the buds upon the large branches. These buds, 

 like those of our common Locust, are almost hidden beneath the bark. It seems a marvel 

 that the gigantic leaves can come from such inconspicuous objects. The leaves are not 

 sent out until late and the flowers do not develop until June. The common name of the 

 species is due to the fact that the early settlers in Kentucky utilized the seeds in place of 

 the coffee berry, but they did not prove a satisfactory substitute and the practice was soon 

 abandoned. The species is often planted in the North as an ornamental tree, and it adds 

 at least the interest of variety to any landscape in which it is planted. 



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