Habitat:The Kentucky coffee tree grows best in the rich, deep, moist soils of floodplains, ravines and lower slopes, but adapts well to a variety of conditions, including drought, limestone soils and city environments. Growth rate is moderate to slow and colonies are often formed by root suckering.

Diseases: This species is remarkably free of pests and diseases, but leaf spot and scale have been reported.

Distribution: This tree is hardy in zones 3 to 8 and native from New York to Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Tennessee. It is native throughout most of Iowa, but is seldom found outside the state's major river systems.