Fast-growing and long-lived, Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) is a large, thorny, deciduous tree of a graceful habit with a spreading rounded crown. The bright green feathery foliage is pinnately compound with paired, oblong, glossy leaflets that turn brilliant yellow in fall. The light shade it casts makes underplanting easy. Inconspicuous greenish flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Rich in nectar, they attract bees and butterflies. They are followed by long, twisted, reddish brown seed pods to 18 in. long (45 cm), which persist well into winter. Livestock and mammals consume the honeylike, sweet pulp of the pods. Trunk and branches have stout, solitary or three-branched thorns, 3 in. long (7 cm), that are extremely vicious and not suitable for a domestic landscape. Tolerant of wind, heat, drought and salt, Honey Locust is popular for hedges.

• Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall and wide (18-24 m). Can spread quickly and become an issue in some pasture areas.
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots.
• Keep an eye out for leaf spot, canker, witches’ broom, powdery mildew, rust, borers. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or grafting.
• Native to central and eastern North America.