Gleditsia triacanthos – Honey Locust, Sweet Locust

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Fabaceae

Gleditsia triacanthos – Honey Locust, Sweet Locust

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In central and mid-west America this tree is found especially in swampy grounds, but can also be found in drier areas. The loose, open crown has a capriciously growing central leader. The bark is grey and has shallow fissures. In America it is an important timber producer. Trunk and branches have sharp, branched spines. The spineless variety f. inermis is a much appreciated alternative. The large, compound leaf unfolds late and turns to golden yellow in autumn. The individual leaflets are circa 3 cm in size. After the flowering the pods appear and they can grow as large as 45 cm. They are crescent-shaped, flat and usually slightly twisted. At first they are yellow green, later brown red, persisting well into winter. The tree has deep going roots with many rootlets. Tolerates hard surfacing well. Gleditsia triacanthos has dangerously sharp branched thorns both on branches and on trunk. Nowadays thornless cultivars can be obtained.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2024.
Availability
Clear stem (8) Multi-stem (3) Topiary (3)
Size
Root ball size
Packaging
Amount
Delivery period
350/400H,200/300W
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Available
450/500H,300/400W
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Available
500/600H,300/400W
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Limited stock
Size
Root ball size
Packaging
Amount
Delivery period
40-45 tabletop
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Limited stock
45-50 tabletop
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Available
50-60 tabletop
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Available
Specifications
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Height
20 - 25 m, fast growing
Crown
round, light, open crown, capricious growing
Bark and branches
dark-grey bark with shallow fissures
Leaf
pinnate or twice-pinnate, fresh green, 15 - 35 cm, feathered leaf
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
♀ in light-green clusters, ♂ in spikes, May/June
Fruits
crescent shaped pods, 30 - 45 cm
Spines/thorns
Yes
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
light soils
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates paving
Winter hardiness zone
5a (-28,8 to -26,1 °C)
Wind resistance
very good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Application
avenues and broad streets, tree containers, roof gardens, industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem, roof
Origin
North America
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree Roof calcareous soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates paving light-loving resistant to de-icing salt resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil can withstand wind 1st size , taller than 12 metres open crown green green late sprout fast growing Feathered leaf Attractive autumn colour valuable for bees (honey plant) non-toxic (usually) Capricious growing Ornamental fruit yes Tree for the future
Applications and inspiration
Trees for bees: the right species
Trees for the future
Shaped trees and espaliers: the solution where there is little space!
Related projects
Bryggervangen and Sankt Kjelds Square - Copenhagen
Frequently asked questions
Gleditsia triacanthos

Gleditsia triacanthos can eventually reach a height of 20 - 25 m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Gleditsia triacanthos is fast growing and can eventually reach a height of 20 - 25 m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos turn yellow in autumn.

The right time to plant Gleditsia triacanthos is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Gleditsia triacanthos with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Gleditsia triacanthos blooms in may.
General