honey locust

Also known as: sweet locust; three-thorned acacia

A large, elegant, deciduous tree to a height of 30m or more. The trunk and stems are spiny - some of these spines are up to 15cm long. The leaves are made up of many oval-shaped tiny, dark green leaflets, which turn yellow in autumn. Small-green-white flowers are produced in summer and if it has been a long hot summer, long, twisted brown seed pods follow in autumn

Scientific classification

Species: honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Genus: Gleditsia
Family: Fabaceae

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Toxicity: Trees
Plant type: Higher than 12 metres
Height: wider than 8 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Information to be completed
Habit: Autumn · Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

honey locust pictures

Distribution of honey locust

Distribution map

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of honey locust

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honey locust care guide

Deep infrequent watering, established trees withstand dry weather
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Deep infrequent watering, established trees withstand dry weather

Fertilizing

Slow-release tree fertilizer applied once annually in early spring

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in autumn in a cold frame, or by whip and tongue grafting in late winter

Growing

Grows well in any well-drained soil, although especailly good on dry acidic soil, once established. Very tolerant of industrial pollution. For more information, see tree cultivation

More growing and care information →