Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Form

Height 30 to 50 feet, taller under very favorable conditions; may reach diameter of 16 inches; slender, spreading, somewhat pendulous branches form broad, open, rather flat top crown.

Bark

Dark gray or brown on old trees; dividing into strips; strong, sharp, shiny branched thorns appear on one-year old branches and remain for many years.

Leaf

2 types, both alternate; type 1 is compound with 18 to 28 leaflets; type 2 is doubly compound, consisting of 4 to 7 leaflets, each 6 to 8 inches long; each leaflet consisting of 16 to 24 secondary leaflets.

Fruit

A legume; length 10 to 18 inches, width 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches; flat, dark brown or black when ripe, containing seeds and yellow-whitish pulp; pod often becomes twisted as seeds ripen; seeds are hard and each is separated from the others by the pulp.

Range

Native only to southwestern Wisconsin, but has been planted in other sections. It attains its best development on rich, moist river bottoms, but will do well on fertile, well-drained soil.

Wood

Reddish-brown heartwood, coarse-grained; hard, strong, not durable in contact with ground; used for fence posts, cross ties and fuel; has been planted to some extent for windbreaks and hedges.

Notes

A thornless variety of honey locust is widely planted as an ornamental.