This tree was originally planted in a memorial Garden on the site of the present Global Medicine Garden. The plants in the memorial garden had to be moved for the renovation of the Tropical Ravine and when building work was complete, this tree was re-housed in the Global Medicine Garden.

Gymnocladus dioicus is a handsome tree from E and C United States and SE Canada. The species is dioecious, ie there are separate male and female trees (it is not yet clear which the Botanic Gardens’ tree is.) Although fairly slow-growing it can reach 20m high. The seeds, when well roasted, were used as a substitute for coffee by the early settlers in North America. Warning: the unroasted seeds and seed pods are toxic.

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2022. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.