Gleditsia triacanthos Honey locust (Leguminosae) Deciduous tree

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Gleditsia triacanthos
Honey locust
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Gleditsia triacanthos plant species is found in Eastern N. America. Occasionally naturalized in C. and S. Europe. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Honey locust.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Gleditsia triacanthos
Common Name:  Honey locust
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The plant contains potentially toxic compounds[222].

Mature Height:  20   Mature Width:  15

Habitat:  Usually growing singly, though occasionally forming almost pure woods, on the borders of streams and in rich woods, usually in moist fertile soils but sometimes on dry sterile gravelly hills[43, 82].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in most soils, acid or alkaline[160, 200], so long as they are well-drained[202]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Tolerates drought once established[1] and atmospheric pollution[200]. Salt tolerant[200]. Trees are rather tender when young, but they are hardy to about -30°c once they are established[200]. They grow best in S. Britain[11]. The honey locust is often cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible seeds and seedpods[202], trees start to bear when about 10 years old and produce commercial crops for about 100 years[227]. Wild trees seldom live longer than 120 years[229]. Trees are shy to flower and therefore do not often produce a worthwhile crop in Britain due to our cooler summers[202]. There are some named varieties[183]. The sub-species nana produced lots of viable seed in the hot summer of 1989 at Kew[K], it also had a very good crop in 1994 and in 1996[K]. The sub-species inermis had a very good crop of pods in the autumn of 1996[K]. 'Ashworth' has pods with a very sweet pulp that has a melon-like flavour[183]. The flowers have a pleasing scent[245]. A very ornamental tree[1] and a good bee plant[149]. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late and lose their leaves early[11] making them an excellent canopy tree for a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Unlike most plants in this family, honey locusts do not fix atmospheric nitrogen[160, 226].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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