Campus planting sparks sharing of tree stories

The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioica) derives its common name from reports that early European settlers used its seedpods as a coffee substitute. The species survives in Canada only in southwestern Ontario, where it is considered threatened.

That population grew by one Wednesday, as the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Jull EES Club helped to plant a specimen in front of Memorial Hall in celebration of National Tree Day.

The story of the coffee tree’s name was one of several told during the event, as attendees shared memories of their favourite trees. Anyone wishing to contribute a memory may e-mail earth@uwindsor.ca. Read more on the earth and environmental sciences Web site.