DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
205 
the loose, tufted appearance of each individual leaf. The 
flowers, which are white, are borne in loose spikes, in 
the beginning of summer ; and are succeeded by ample 
brown pods, flat and somewhat curved, which contain six 
or seven large grey seeds, imbedded in a sweet pulpy 
substance. As the genus is dioecious, it is necessary that 
both sexes of this tree should be growing near each other, 
in order to produce seed. 
When Kentucky was first settled by the adventurous 
pioneers from the Atlantic States, who commenced their 
career in the primeval wilderness, almost without the 
necessaries of life, except as produced by them from the 
fertile soil, they fancied that they had discovered a 
substitute for coffee in the seeds of this tree, and 
accordingly the name of Coffee tree was bestowed upon 
it : but when a communication was established with the 
seaports, they gladly relinquished their Kentucky beverage 
for the more grateful flavor of the Indian plant ; and no 
use is at present made of it in that manner. It has, 
however, a fine, compact wood, highly useful in building ot 
cabinet-work. 
The Kentucky Coffee tree is well entitled to a place in 
every collection. In summer, its charming foliage and 
agreeable flowers render it a highly beautiful lawn tree ; 
and in winter, it is certainly one of the most novel trees, 
m appearance, in our whole native sylva. Like the 
Ailantus, it is entirely destitute of small spray, but it also 
adds to this the additional singularity of thick, blunt, 
terminal branches, without any perceptible buds. Alto- 
gether it more resembles a dry, dead, and withered 
combination of sticks, than a living and thrifty tree. 
Although this would be highly monotonous and displeasing, 
were it ihe common appearance of our deciduous trees 
