treeN. America Native

True North Kentucky Coffee Tree

Gymnocladus dioica 'True North'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

540 inches

Width

420 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to Medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Very long-lived

Native To

Central and Eastern North America

Toxicity

Raw seeds and pulp are toxic if ingested.

The Story

Plant Bio

Gymnocladus dioica is a large, deciduous tree native to the Midwestern United States. It is known for its immense, doubly compound leaves that give it a tropical appearance, its rugged, deeply fissured bark, and its tolerance of tough urban conditions. 'True North' is a male selection from the University of Minnesota, meaning it does not produce the large, messy seed pods of the female species. It was also selected for its excellent upright, vase-shaped form and good resistance to pests and diseases.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

A magnificent shade tree with unique, tropical-looking foliage that casts a light, dappled shade. Its bold, craggy branches and deeply furrowed bark provide dramatic architectural interest in the winter landscape.

Extremely tolerant of drought, air pollution, de-icing salts, and a wide range of soils, making it an outstanding choice for challenging urban environments like street plantings and parking lots. As a male clone, 'True North' is seedless, eliminating any potential mess from pods.

The flowers, while not showy, are visited by bees and other insect pollinators. It is a host plant for the Bicolored Honeylocust Moth and the larvae of the Bisected Honeylocust Moth.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with plenty of room to grow.
It is highly adaptable to almost any well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
Plant at the same depth it was growing in the nursery.
Backfill with native soil and water well to settle.
Mulch the root zone to conserve moisture.

Pro Tip

Be patient; this tree leafs out very late in the spring, often leading gardeners to think it has died over the winter.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide supplemental water during the first few years of establishment.
Prune young trees to develop a high canopy for clearance.
Appreciate its coarse, rugged texture in the winter landscape.
Give it plenty of space to reach its mature size.

Don't

Don't plant in a small yard; this is a large tree.
Avoid planting in shade, which leads to weak, spindly growth.
Don't panic when it's the last tree on the block to leaf out in spring.
Don't plant female trees near patios or walkways due to pod litter.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tough and durable park or street treeArchitectural shade tree for large lawnsSeedless specimen for clean landscapes

Companion Plants

Hosta Heuchera Geranium maculatum Panicum virgatum Carex pensylvanica

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

True North Kentucky Coffee Tree questions

What zones can True North Kentucky Coffee Tree grow in?

True North Kentucky Coffee Tree is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is True North Kentucky Coffee Tree deer resistant?

Yes — True North Kentucky Coffee Tree is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does True North Kentucky Coffee Tree bloom?

True North Kentucky Coffee Tree typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does True North Kentucky Coffee Tree need full sun?

True North Kentucky Coffee Tree does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is True North Kentucky Coffee Tree drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), True North Kentucky Coffee Tree handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.