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Trees
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possible issue with Kentucky coffee tree

5 years ago

Last fall I planted two Kentucky coffee trees. They have both looked good up until recently. One has a green tint while the other is slowly starting to get a yellowish tint to the leaves. It’s noticeable looking at the two trees and the pictures don’t do as much justice as I’d like. The one turning yellow does have water than can sit after a heavy rain for a few hours after a heavy rain but it eventually goes away and this does not happen often. I also do not baby these trees and add water often. So if too much water is the issue then it’s all from Mother Nature. These trees are known to grow in wetter lowland areas sometimes. So I am curious what else could make the leaves yellow? It could be water or the tree could be fine. I am just trying to address the issue ahead of time if anyone has experienced this before. Both trees are planted in the same general area with the same soil conditions. The one turning yellow does happen to be planted slightly lower but the flare is still above ground level and when water does sit it’s only an inch or so around the edging of mulch.

Featured Answer
  • 2 years ago

    They recovered greatly and for the first time put on some serious growth this year ! Found Houzz by trying to find info on this tree. Also discovered lots of valuable information on this forum about every tree I planted in my yard after them.

    Comments (14)

    • 5 years ago

      Both trees leaves and bases posted for examples.

    • 5 years ago

      Have you had a recent soil/pH test?

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    • 5 years ago

      you dont suppose we remember where you are .. do you .. lol ..


      big city name.. weather since planting... how planted .. amended hole ... bare root.. potted... ball and burlap ... ??? ... looking at the staking they must be rather large transplants ....


      sounds like you are watering pretty good .. but other than that.. you havent given us much fact to work with ...


      how about a pic of the whole tree ...


      tree time is counted in decades .... a few hours of standing water should not be a big deal.. unless bad clay soil and a hole that doesnt drain... but even that.. a few hours???



      as long as it holds the leaves... and they keep turning light into energy.. it should be ok ... if they all fall off... perhaps problems ...


      i seem to recall planting maples.. that went thru color change very early .. but hung in there ... i wonder if yellow is the common fall color for this tree ...


      what does your seller say ...


      ken


    • 5 years ago

      btw.. a large transplant can take 2 to 4 years to settle in.. and become fully established.. so weird things happening during that time is possible ... without necessarily being catastrophic ...


      ken

    • 5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      Coffeetree is tolerant of soil pH, so that shouldn't be an issue. Like ken says, initial transplants are suffering to various extents and will show it. And know that any tree that had been potted will prb'ly suffer from girdled roots that can eventually even kill.

    • 5 years ago

      The fall color for this tree is always yellow. Philadelphia zone 7a. I am figuring it’s just a phase, but once those leaves start dropping I will know if the problem is bigger than I expected. Ball and burlap with almost all burlap and metal caving removed. A lot of new growth budded on the beaches and then died off. I expect that for such a large transplant and the shock it went through. Hoping the color issue is just acclimation. I’ll keep the post updated.

    • 4 years ago

      The tree count I used to look ruff for a while and as the lower leaves yellowed more they eventually fell off. It’s pushing out new growth now which I assume is a good sign.

    • 4 years ago
      last modified: 4 years ago

      Should be OK. I have to say, my 14-yr old coffeetree is starting to turn alittle yellow earlier than usual here, but I'm not worried. It IS on a sun-baked south-facing rockpile.....

    • 4 years ago

      @bengz would you be kind enough to post a pic ? I’d love to see what one looks like after 14 years

    • 4 years ago
      last modified: 4 years ago

      Couple yrs ago in very poor/dry soil (rockpile)-- bigger now.


      Low branch leaves.


      Some of this year's yellowing leaves is from the 17-yr cicada damage.

    • 2 months ago

      May of 2021 when I planted them vs now. Love these trees

    • 2 months ago

      Nice! The flowers on KCT are subtle but also nice. Too bad they are hidden by those huge bipinnate leaves.


    • 2 months ago
      last modified: 2 months ago

      maackia, seems healthy, but my 30-foot coffeetree won't bloom!

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