| Plant of the Month - February, 2006 |
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by Jeff Iles Arboretum Board Member Professor and Chair Department of Horticulture Iowa State University
Gymnocladus dioicus The saying, "Good things come to those who wait," must have been written by a lover of Kentucky coffeetree because the tree isn't much to look at when young. But give it 20, 30, or better yet, 50 years or more and your patience will be rewarded many times over. In fact, specimens of Kentucky coffeetree, particularly those grown in the open (like the one just south of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum Visitors Center and Library) become more imposing and interesting with each passing year. Why is Kentucky coffeetree worthy of our attention? For starters, the tree virtually has no insect or disease problems. It's also tolerant of just about anything the Midwestern climate can throw at it including low temperatures, heat, drought, alkaline soils, even brief exposure to flooding. If there is a complaint lodged against Kentucky coffeetree, it usually involves its colossal, bipinnately-compound leaves, some growing up to three feet long! And if you've ever spent an autumn afternoon trying to rake them into a pile, well, you know what a frustrating experience that can be. Thick, dark brown fruit pods (on female trees) will have you hauling out your rake again, but this time in early spring. Readers also should be aware Kentucky coffeetree is quite capable of growing well beyond its predicted height of 40-75 feet, some approaching 100 feet tall. If situated on a golf course, in a park, or some similarly spacious site, tall can be a good thing, but on a small residential property, coffeetree can be overbearing. Kentucky coffeetree has a rather broad native range, occurring from central New York to southern Minnesota and eastern Nebraska, and southwest through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. And while its distribution is wide, the tree is uncommon throughout its range, often occurring as isolated individuals or in small colonies or groups. The common name "coffeetree" seems appropriate given the fact native Americans and early settlers in Kentucky brewed a hot, coffee-like beverage from its roasted seeds, however, the drink was black and bitter, and probably bore little resemblance to coffee as we know it. Early land developers went one step further and promoted the name Kentucky coffeetree reportedly to encourage settlers to come to the "far west" to live amongst trees with beans that could be roasted and brewed to make a "fine" coffee substitute. I doubt many settlers factored this somewhat misleading enticement into their decision to relocate to the western frontier, but if they did, imagine their disappointment after drinking their first steaming cup of coffee from the Kentucky coffeetree! Gymnocladus dioicus, the botanical name for Kentucky coffeetree comes from the Greek words gymnos (meaning naked) and klados (branch). Naked branch is an apt name since the leaves of coffeetree emerge late in the spring and fall rather early in the autumn, hence the tree is "naked" or without leaves for a good part of the year. The specific epithet dioicus refers to the dioecious nature of the tree (male and female trees). But to really appreciate and understand the beauty and majesty of Kentucky coffeetree, you must visit one in winter. So, the next time you're in the vicinity of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, take a minute to visit the large specimen (one of the Founders Trees) that has stood watch over this wonderful oasis since its inception. First stand back and admire its rugged and stark winter silhouette. Then, as thousands of visitors before you have done, walk under its massive canopy and feel the strength, vitality, and promise contained in its spreading limbs. Finally, examine the bark with its flattened ridges, shallow fissures, and numerous imperfections and appreciate the fact that this Kentucky coffeetree will be welcoming visitors to the Arboretum for decades and decades yet to come. A good feeling, isn't it?
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