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An upright Kentucky coffee tree.

Gymnocladus Skinny Latte™

Tightly fastigiate branching that forms an attractive and useful columnar tree

The Skinny Latte™ Kentucky coffee tree is a superior selection of a durable and handsome tree native to the midwestern and upper southern United States. Skinny Latte was notably selected for its tightly fastigiate branching that forms an attractive and useful columnar tree in the landscape. When young, this tree is just as awkward as any Kentucky coffeetree, but it ages with grace, forming a narrowly fastigiate and columnar habit at maturity with symmetrical and dense branching. Branching is somewhat tighter toward the base, resulting in a tapered form from top to bottom. In the spring and summer, the enormous compound leaves composed of many tiny leaflets create a soft texture in the landscape. Its foliage remains green all summer, with no pest or disease issues. Fall color is the glowing gold the species is known for. The coarse and furrowed bark on this columnar selection creates architectural and textural interest in the winter landscape. Since it is a male selection, there is no messy fruit to clean up in the landscape.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Skinny Latte Kentucky coffee tree
  • Botanical Name

    Gymnocladus dioicus 'Morton'
  • Type

    Tree
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    The Skinny Latte™ Kentucky coffeetree is a chance seedling selected and clonally propagated by The Morton Arboretum in 1968. Four of the original clones were planted in the arboretum nursery and are the source for all the trees in the market today.

  • Bloom Time

    Late spring

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Late spring
  • Size

    50' tall by 20' wide at maturity
  • Hardiness Zone

    4-8
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Adaptable
  • Moisture

    Can handle a broad range of pH and moisture, making it an ideal selection for cities and suburban developments.
  • Disease & Pests

    None known
  • Landscape Use

    Specimen, large parks, extensive lawn areas, parkways, golf courses, parking lots, street tree
  • Propagation

    Grafting

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.