Contents
Description
Gleditsia is a genus of flowering plants in the Fabaceae family, commonly known as Honey Locusts. They are native to North America, but are now widely cultivated in other parts of the world. These trees can grow up to 30 meters tall and have a wide canopy with thorns on the branches. The leaves are pinnately compound with small leaflets, turning yellow in the fall. Honey Locusts are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are found on separate trees. The fruit is a flat pod, which contains seeds coated with a sweet, sticky substance that gives the tree its common name.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Gleditsia |
Appearance
Honey Locusts are deciduous trees with a wide, spreading canopy that can reach up to 30 meters in height. The bark is gray-brown and rough, with deep furrows and ridges. The leaves are pinnately compound, with small, oval-shaped leaflets that are bright green in the summer and turn a bright yellow in the fall. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, with male and female flowers on separate trees. The fruit is a flat, twisted pod that contains seeds coated with a sweet, sticky substance.
Care Guide
Honey Locusts are easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of conditions. Here are some tips for caring for your Honey Locust tree:- Water: Honey Locusts are drought-tolerant, but should be watered regularly during dry spells to prevent stress.- Fertilization: Fertilize your Honey Locust tree once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.- Soil: Honey Locusts prefer well-drained soil, but can tolerate a range of soil types.- Sunlight: These trees prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade.- Hardiness Zones: Honey Locusts are hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Honey Locusts are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but there are a few issues to be aware of:- Gleditsia Borer: This insect can damage the trunk and branches of the tree, leading to dieback and decline.- Webworms: These caterpillars can defoliate the tree if left unchecked.- Leaf Spots: Fungal infections can cause brown spots on the leaves, but are generally not serious.
Habitat
Honey Locusts are native to North America, where they are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, savannas, and riverbanks. They are now widely cultivated in other parts of the world for their ornamental value and as shade trees.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Honey Locusts be grown in containers?
A: While Honey Locusts can technically be grown in containers, they are not well-suited to this environment and are best planted in the ground.
Q: Do Honey Locusts have thorns?
A: Yes, Honey Locusts have thorns on their branches.
Q: Are Honey Locusts invasive?
A: Honey Locusts are not considered invasive, but can be weedy in some areas.
Q: How long do Honey Locusts live?
A: Honey Locusts can live up to 120 years in the right conditions.
Related Plants
– Acacia- Albizia- Cassia- Robinia
References
– USDA Plants Database. (n.d.). Gleditsia. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=GLEDI.- Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Gleditsia triacanthos. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286523&isprofile=0&.- University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2021). Honeylocust. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st240.
