Kentucky Coffee-Tree

Gymnocladus dioicus

Continue along the sidewalk towards the mansion as far as the fire hydrant. The handsome tree on your left is a native of Kentucky and Tennessee. The Kentucky coffee tree takes its name from the seeds which are found inside its’ large pods. The seeds resemble coffee beans and a bitter drink was once brewed from them (unroasted seeds and pods are toxic). This tree is one of the last trees on the property to leaf out in the spring which leads to many visitors asking if it’s dead.