Thornless Honey Locust Tree - Gleditsia triacanthos

Thornless Honey Locust Tree - Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Fabaceae: Pea & Bean Family
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
[Thornless Honey Locust - Gleditsia triacanthos]
Honey Locust, May 31 [Thornless Honey Locust - Gleditsia triacanthos]
Honey Locust, December 25

This thornless honey locust is resident at the Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois. It is surely one of the largest and oldest specimens in Illinois.

The thornless honey locust has been an exceptionally popular tree for all types of landscapes. Small leaves on the open canopy allow pleasantly dappled light to reach the ground. The ability to grow grass under these trees has helped them reach the popularity they now enjoy. Unfortunately, numerous pests and diseases have infiltrated populations of honeylocusts, and popularity has declined. The trees produce dark-brown seedpods that can be a maintenance headache. They are easily transplanted and are adaptable to a wide soil range. Fruitless varieties are available with varying resistance to the numerous problems from which the species now suffers. The tree has some favorable aspects, but one should make a well-researched choice among available varieties to increase chances of success.

[Honey Locust Leaves]
Leaves, with 17-year periodic cicada, Magicicada sp. brood XIII, 2007

Summer: The pinnately compound leaves (one large stem with many small leaflets) allow filtered sunlight, making an attractive canopy that is practical for growing grass or other plants below. Fall: Color in the fall is variable but is usually a shade of yellow and can be very nice. The large seedpods ripen and become a maintenance consideration for most of the fall and winter months. Wildlife cherishes the sweet pods from which the tree gets its name. The thorny specimen (Gleditsia triacanthos) from which this variety arose is one of the thorniest trees found. Thorns can protrude directly from the trunk and be a foot or more in length. Crews have been busy two decades at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign taking down diseased honeylocust trees that were once planted to replace the declining American elms.

The native thorny species is found in Illinois, on either side of the Mississippi River from Nebraska to Texas and from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Fence rows and pastures are common locations.

[Honey Locust Bark]
Honey Locust Bark
Being a member of the bean family, the Honey Locust is related to the Kentucky Coffee Tree, and the vine Wisteria, among others.

Healthy, attractive trees add interest, pleasure, and value to landscapes. Some factors to keep in mind as you select a tree relate to your projected planting site and some factors relate to you. Healthy plants, growing under conditions that suit them, are marvelously engineered to deal with minor incidence of heat, cold, drought, storm damage, pests, and disease. Sometimes we unknowingly stress them, reducing their ability to stay healthy.

Trees provide cover: Birds and small animals need concealed places for nesting and hiding from predators. The presence of wildlife can make your backyard or woodlot a special place for your family and children. As urban sprawl displaces many birds and animals from their natural habitat, it becomes even more important for home and landowners to provide green space and mini-sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife.

Trees provide food: Having a wide variety of trees that provide seeds, nuts and fruit for wildlife to eat is one way to increase your success in attracting wildlife. although artificial bird feeders can supplement naturally occurring foods, they can attract unwanted pests such as pigeons, Canada geese, squirrels, and even rats. Trees also provide food by attracting insects and providing cover for their activities; mating, egg-laying. Insects form a huge portion of the warm-weather food supply for many species of songbirds.

And, most important in this age of man-made global warming, trees sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide.

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