• deciduous tree
• etymology: Gymnocladus from Greek gymnos for naked, and cladus a branch (because tree sheds leaves early in autumn, and leafs out late in the spring); dioicus = dioecious
• leaves twice- or once- compound
• flowers greenish-white, ca 1/3” wide, in clusters
• polygamo-dioecious: mostly dioecious (separate male and female trees), and occasionally with perfect flowers. This tree is male
• fruits distinctive thick woody pods, 3"-10" long
• roasted seeds formerly used during the Civil War as a coffee substitute (but fruit pulp and unroasted seeds may be poisonous)

Fruit from a different, female, tree (not on DSU campus).