Tour Detail

Background
History

The Kentucky coffeetree has long, compound leaves with many leaflets. Its oval leaflets emerge late in spring and change from a pinkish tinge to a dark, almost blue-green, color. The coffeetree produces pyramidal clusters of greenish-white flowers that bloom in late May to early June. The female trees provide flowers that have a rose-like fragrance. This tree is in the bean family and has large seed pods, each bearing 3-4 bean-like seeds.

This tree gets its name from early Kentucky settlers who noticed the resemblance of its seeds to coffee beans. These settlers tried to make coffee from them but it was inferior to regular coffee and could be dangerous. Later on, its wood was also used in the construction of railway sleeper cars. There is also some evidence that the Kentucky coffeetree was introduced into Kentucky by Native Americans, who used pulp from its wood and leaves to make tea and treat illness.