Honey Locust Tree

Honey Locust Tree (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Sizes Explained

A Grade (Ground-Ready): Stronger, thicker stems for instant planting.
B Grade (Pot-Ready): Start in a pot or nursery bed for one season before transplanting.

Key Features:

• Hardiness Zone: Thrives in Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained soils, including loamy, sandy, or clay soils. Honey Locust is adaptable and can tolerate poor soil conditions.
• Height and Width: Reaches a mature height of 30 to 70 feet and a spread of 30 to 40 feet, providing ample shade and visual interest in your landscape.
• Fruit Size: Produces long, flat seed pods that can grow up to 10 inches in length. The pods contain sweet pulp and seeds that are attractive to wildlife.
• SIZE: Approximately 12 inches high.

Growth Habits:

• Growth Rate: Fast growth rate of the honey locust tree, making it a great choice for quick shade. It can grow up to 2 feet per year under optimal conditions.
• Flowering Time: Blooms in late spring, producing small, fragrant greenish-yellow flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Caring for Your Honey Locust Tree:

• Sunlight: Requires full sun for optimal growth and flowering. It should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, this tree is drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering.
• Fertilization: Minimal fertilization is needed, but applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth.

Harvesting and Using the Fruit:

• Ripening: The seed pods mature in late summer to early fall, turning brown and hard.
• Culinary Uses: While not commonly consumed by humans, the sweet pulp inside the pods is enjoyed by wildlife and can be used to attract birds to your garden.

Additional Information:

• Thorns: Some Honey Locust varieties have thorns, while others are thornless. Thornless cultivars are often preferred for home landscapes for safety.
• Pests and Diseases: Generally resistant to most pests and diseases, though monitoring for scale insects and honey locust plant bugs is recommended.

Wildlife Benefits of the Honey Locust Tree:

Honey Locust trees are excellent for attracting wildlife, providing food and habitat for birds and other animals. The sweet pulp of the seed pods is a favorite among many species, making this tree a valuable addition to your landscape.

Enhance your garden with the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) for a beautiful, low-maintenance tree that offers shade, wildlife support, and stunning seasonal interest. Order yours today and enjoy the benefits it brings to your outdoor space!