Thornless Honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos 'inermis'
Honey locusts are native to North America. In their natural habitat, they are primarily found growing in river valleys. They adapt well to both acidic and alkaline soil conditions and are among the most resilient of urban shade trees, tolerant of drought, heavy flooding, road salt and soil compaction. Though they grow quickly, their wood is dense and their branches are quite strong. Honey locusts can be planted on steep slopes to control erosion. In rural settings, they can become invasive.
Until thornless versions were developed, honey locusts had sharp thorns along their trunks, some thorns up to 12” long. Many thornless cultivars are currently available, including ‘Moraine,’ ‘Shademaster,’ ‘Skyline,’ ‘Halka’ and ‘Sunburst.’
Physical characteristics:
Form: Oval or round outline with open branching. Grows 30 to 70 feet high and wide.
Leaves: Pinnately compound, approximately 8” long with 8 to 14 leaflets. Young trees have bi-pinnate leaves; older trees are pinnate. It is easy to tell honey locusts from black locusts because they have no end leaflet, whereas black locusts consistently do. Honey locusts’ leaves are among the last to emerge in the spring. Leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn.
Flowers: Occur in clusters on spike-like stalks, located at the base of leaf axils. Flowers are a pale greenish-yellow and fragrant. Flowers are attractive to a large number of pollinating insects.
Fruit: Honey locusts are legumes so they bear their fruit in pods. The pods, dark brown and leathery, can be up to 18” long. The pulp inside the pod is edible and sweet, hence the name “honey” locust.
Bark: Dark gray, becoming deeply furrowed with age.
Check out Northern Red Oak>>
Until thornless versions were developed, honey locusts had sharp thorns along their trunks, some thorns up to 12” long. Many thornless cultivars are currently available, including ‘Moraine,’ ‘Shademaster,’ ‘Skyline,’ ‘Halka’ and ‘Sunburst.’
Physical characteristics:
Form: Oval or round outline with open branching. Grows 30 to 70 feet high and wide.
Leaves: Pinnately compound, approximately 8” long with 8 to 14 leaflets. Young trees have bi-pinnate leaves; older trees are pinnate. It is easy to tell honey locusts from black locusts because they have no end leaflet, whereas black locusts consistently do. Honey locusts’ leaves are among the last to emerge in the spring. Leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn.
Flowers: Occur in clusters on spike-like stalks, located at the base of leaf axils. Flowers are a pale greenish-yellow and fragrant. Flowers are attractive to a large number of pollinating insects.
Fruit: Honey locusts are legumes so they bear their fruit in pods. The pods, dark brown and leathery, can be up to 18” long. The pulp inside the pod is edible and sweet, hence the name “honey” locust.
Bark: Dark gray, becoming deeply furrowed with age.
Check out Northern Red Oak>>
