Kentucky Coffee Trees at Mitchell Indian Village

Discovery

While leading a native plant walk at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell South Dakota, Jeff discovered some Kentucky Coffee trees growing in a draw at the village. He knew they did not occur naturally this far north or west. The closest natural occurrence of them is in the very southeastern part of South Dakota.

Indian Involvement

Indians were known to use the seeds of the Kentucky Coffee trees. Is it possible they brought the trees to the Mitchell area over one thousand years ago? Learn more about the cultural uses by Native Americans.