Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos · Deciduous Broadleaf
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Ornamental / Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9; highly adaptable to various temperatures and clay, loam, or sandy soils.
About This Tree
A medium to large hardy tree with an open, spreading crown that provides filtered shade. Known for its airy, delicate appearance and zigzag branching pattern. While the wild species has large thorns, most cultivated varieties are thornless.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately and bipinnately compound, alternate arrangement; leaves have 15-30 small, oval-oblong leaflets about 1/2 to 1 inch long. Bright green in summer, turning a crisp golden-yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Greyish-brown to black; smooth when young, developing into long, narrow, scaly ridges and deep furrows that may peel up at the edges on mature specimens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central North America, well-adapted to urban environments worldwide
Growing Season
Late leaf-out in spring (May); flowers in early summer; distinctive seed pods in autumn; dormancy begins with late fall leaf drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; moderate watering needs with high drought tolerance once established; adaptable to wet or dry sites.
Mature Size
30 to 70 feet high with a 30 to 50 foot spread; fast growth rate; can live 100 to 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly salt-tolerant, making it ideal for coastal or roadside planting. Tolerant of urban pollution and compacted soil. Provides excellent 'dappled' shade that allows grass to grow underneath.
Wildlife & Ecology
Flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies; long seed pods (on fertile varieties) are consumed by deer, rabbits, and squirrels; provides nesting sites for songbirds.