How to Plant a Coffee Tree

The beans of the coffee tree are poisonous if eaten raw.

The coffee tree, which is the state tree of Kentucky, has roots that date back to early America. The Colonists used the beans of the tree to make coffee, boiling the beans beforehand, since they are poisonous if eaten raw. The coffee tree prefers to grow in full sun and rich, well-drained soils of USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. This deciduous tree is a fast grower, reaching heights of 70 feet with a 50 foot spread at maturity. Soil preparations before planting will help ensure the survival of the coffee tree, which prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7.8.

Things You'll Need

• Soil testing kit
• Pitchfork
• Lime or peat moss
• Garden hose
• Mulch
• Soaker hose
• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears or pruning saw

Instructions

1. Test the soil before planting the coffee tree. Purchase a soil test from a garden center to determine the pH and amend if necessary. Break-up the soil with a pitchfork and add lime if the pH is below 6.5 or peat moss for soil above 7.8. Check the packaging label for amounts.

2. Dig a hole for the coffee tree that measures twice the width of its root ball. The depth of the hole should match the height of the root ball. Remove the coffee tree from its nursery container and set it in the center of the hole. Make sure that the graft union (transition point where roots meet trunk) rests above the soil line.

3. Backfill the planting hole halfway, watering the soil to secure the roots. Continue backfilling, tamping the soil down with your foot afterward to remove air pockets. Air pockets can cause the roots of the coffee tree to dry out prematurely.

4. Spread mulch under the canopy of the coffee tree. A 3-inch layer of mulch will improve water retention and deter weed growth. Mulch also will help keep the roots of the coffee tree cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Use bark chips, straw or a layer of pine needles.

5. Maintain moist soil to a 1-inch depth after planting and throughout the first growing season. Use a soaker hose for deep watering. Once established, the coffee tree will only require supplemental watering during dry spells. Avoid oversaturating the soil. If the top 1 inch of soil feels moist, do not add more water.

Tips & Warnings

• Fertilize the coffee tree one year after planting. Choose a fertilizer that that promotes woody growth, as opposed to excess foliage growth. A fertilizer with a high-nitrogen base, applied once a year in the early spring or fall, should yield good results.

• Remove dead, diseased, damaged or inward growing branches in the early spring, using a pair of pruning shears or pruning saw.

• The beans of the coffee tree are toxic. Avoid planting in areas where animals or small children play. Seek medical attention immediately in cases of ingestion.

References

• The University of Texas at Austin: Native Plant Database
• Tree Help: Kentucky Coffee Tree
• Minnesota Department of Transportation: Kentucky Coffeetree

Resources

• Grow It: USDA Hardiness Zone Maps