Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Likely Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis (Thornless Honey Locust)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; highly adaptable to extreme temperatures and urban pollutants.
About This Tree
A graceful, fast-growing deciduous tree with a spreading, open-canopy crown that provides dappled shade. It is known for its delicate, fern-like foliage and flat, twisted seed pods.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately or bipinnately compound leaves, alternate arrangement. Small, oval leaflets are 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, bright green in summer, turning brilliant yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Greyish-brown to black; develops long, narrow, scaly ridges and deep furrows with age. Younger bark is smoother with prominent lenticels.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Central North America (Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River Valley); widely adapted to urban environments.
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring (May); flowers in late spring/early summer; fruits (pods) ripen in autumn; enters dormancy in late fall with bright yellow foliage.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; high drought tolerance once established; prefers moist, well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions including salt and alkaline soil.
Mature Size
Height: 60-80 feet; Spread: 30-50 feet; Growth rate: Fast; Lifespan: 120-150 years.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance for urban salt and compaction; excellent yellow fall color; delicate leaves decay quickly, requiring minimal raking; historical use of sweet seed-pod pulp as food.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides habitat and nesting sites for birds; flowers are an important nectar source for bees and butterflies; seed pods are eaten by white-tailed deer, squirrels, and rabbits.