Tree Almanac
Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
copyright
By Plant Image Library from Boston, USA - Gleditsia triacanthos (Honeylocust), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84938405
Great for streets and courtyards. Its fine leaflets give cooling without heavy litter. Choose thornless cultivars for public spaces.
street-safelight shadenitrogen fixer
Quick facts
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Regions
- Temperate, Semi-arid
- Climate fit
- Hot summers, cold winters
- Water need
- medium
- Height
- 12-18 m
- Spread
- 10-15 m
Care playbook
- Deep water weekly in first 2 summers; then every 2–3 weeks in heat.
- Formative pruning to keep strong central leader.
- Inspect for webworm; remove early nests.
Threats to watch
- Webworm
- Canker on stressed trees