Kentucky Coffeetrees for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Jo Cosgrove | Ecological Gardener, Horticulturist, and Educator – last update on December 2, 2021

Planting instructions

The Kentucky coffeetree is tolerant of a wide range of soil types making it a great choice of tree for urban environments. Choose a planting site that receives full sun. The location of the tree should be carefully considered, as it could grow to over 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. When transplanting the tree, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Insert the tree, backfill with dirt, and tamp down lightly. Water the planting site thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of mulch.

Watering and nutrients

Give your Kentucky coffeetree a daily watering for the first few weeks. Once established, the tree needs little water, only needing supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. The species does not call for an application of fertilizer when originally planted in rich, nutritious soil. If necessary, a light layer of compost can be added around the base of the tree. Unlike its relatives in the pea and legume families, the Kentucky coffeetree does not fix nitrogen in the soil.

Pollination

The Kentucky coffeetree produces small, greenish-white, flowers that form clusters on the tips of branches. The flowers bloom simultaneously giving the tree a quick shift in color around early June. The species is dioecious, producing male and female flowers on separate trees. Male flowers are four to six inches long, while females are nearly twice that size. Pollination occurs primarily through the aid of insects, including bumblebees and butterflies. Once pollinated, the flowers form into pods that hold a few hard shelled seeds.

Pruning

Kentucky coffeetrees do not require regular pruning. However, you may wish to cut the tree back during the dormant period of winter. This will allow for increased airflow, and vigorous new growth when spring arrives. Focus on removing any dead, dying, or diseased branches, this will provide the most benefit for the tree. The dormant period is also a good time to address the tree’s encroachment on any homes or buildings. Remove any branches or limbs that have grown too close for comfort.

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