Tree Identification
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Gleditsia triacanthos - Honeylocust
Pinnate and doubly- pinnate compound leaves.
Small, unopened flower raceme.
Obviously not a seedless variety of honeylocust in November.
Obviously not a seedless variety of honeylocust in November.
Seed pods of honeylocust.
Smaller seed pod of black locust.
Mature trees growing in Mitchell, South Dakota with thorns on the main stem.
Mature trees growing in Mitchell, South Dakota with thorns on the main stem.
Trunk of honeylocust with the bark curling up into vertical ridges.
Commonly occurring watersprouts on the trunk of a honeylocust.
Possible winter damage and Leaf hopper (insect) damage with a second flush of leaves in the foreground.
All Images By: Dave Hanson
  • Characteristics
  • Disease Management
  • Links
Honeylocust is a Minnesota native, however; it is speculated that the native stands may now be extinct. Range maps have honeylocust just entering the extreme southeast tip of Houston County in southern Minnesota.

As a landscape tree - thornless and seedless varieties of honeylocust are widely planted.

Medium tree height: 40-60'
Canopy spreads: 40-60', Rounded or pyramidal crown dependent on variety.
Drought Tolerance: Tolerant
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Soil pH Tolerance: Tolerant to high pH
Poor Soil Drainage: Tolerant to flooding
Salt Tolerance:

 Tolerant of salt spray and Tolerant to soil salts.
An alternately branched tree with gray bark that lifts into vertical ridges. The tree produces a dappled shade in the summer months due to its fine doubly compound leaves. The pinnately (occasionally bi-pinnately) compound leaves typically have many leaflets measuring 3/4 inches to 1 1/4 inches long with very finely toothed margins. Summer foliage is dark green and in autumn a nice yellow. Honeylocust has small flowers that are green to white. The flowers are not showy. The fruit pod however, tends to be quite large. At maturity the pods are purplish-brown in color and the size can range from several inches up to 18 inches long by about 1-2inches wide.

There are a number of honeylocust varieties available in the nursery trade. The traits of the varieties are many from seedless to thornless being the most common with color variations of the foliage also quite popular.

Did you know
According to several sources the common name honeylocust refers to the sweet flesh in the pods. Reportedly cattle and wildlife seek out this delicacy. Not to mention that the tree also produces a good honey.
DISEASE SYMPTOMS MANAGEMENT
Nectria canker, Nectria cinnabarina and Fusarium sp. Fungi
 Cankers develop as sunken areas originating from a wound or dead branch stub. Advanced cankers are visible as dark brown discolored bark with cracks at the margins. Yellow/orange, salmon/pink, or reddish fruiting bodies form on the cankered areas. Provide proper cultural care. Avoid stress and mechanical damage. Prune during extended dry periods, make proper pruning cuts. Remove and destroy infected branches during dry weather.

CHEMICAL: None.


Nectria canker (view nectria website)

Honeylocust plant bug (view plant bug website)