A rare, but native tree to Canada, usuallygrowing naturally only in two counties of southern Ontario. The genus nameGymnocladus is defined as "naked branch", signifying the prolonged lengthof time the tree is leafless. In the past, it was common practice to roastthe seeds as a substitute for coffee beans, however the bitter taste didnot prolong this ritual. The similarity in form and size of its seeds toactual coffee beans condones its present common name, coffeetree.