Honey locust trees are popular for their unique appearance, adaptability, and usefulness in landscaping and restoration projects. This list covers the most common and noteworthy types of honey locust trees, highlighting their characteristics and benefits. Whether you’re a gardener, landscaper, or tree enthusiast, this guide will help you understand which honey locust type suits your needs best.
1. Gleditsia triacanthos (Common Honey Locust)
The common honey locust is native to central North America and is known for its large compound leaves and long, branched thorns on the trunk and branches. It can grow up to 70 feet tall and produces sweet, edible seed pods that attract wildlife. This species is valued for its rapid growth and tolerance to drought and urban pollution, making it a versatile choice for parks and large landscapes.
2. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis (Thornless Honey Locust)
This variety is a thornless form of the common honey locust and is widely planted in urban settings due to its lack of sharp thorns, which makes it safer for pedestrian areas. It typically grows 30 to 70 feet tall with a broad, open canopy that provides excellent shade. Its feathery, bipinnate leaves turn a bright yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest to streetscapes and yards.
3. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Skyline’
‘Skyline’ is a popular cultivar of the thornless honey locust known for its upright, narrow growth habit. Growing to about 40 to 50 feet tall but only 20 feet wide, it fits well in smaller urban spaces and tight landscapes. Its dense foliage offers excellent shade and wind resistance, making it a practical choice for street trees and parking lot plantings.
4. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Shademaster’
‘Shademaster’ is another thornless cultivar favored for its broad, spreading crown and rapid growth rate. It can reach heights of 50 to 70 feet and provides dense shade, which is beneficial in hot climates. The tree’s adaptability to various soil types and resistance to common pests like webworms make it a resilient landscape option.
5. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Moraine’
‘Moraine’ is a thornless honey locust cultivar prized for its cold hardiness and disease resistance. It grows to about 40 feet tall with a rounded crown and is tolerant of drought and urban pollution. This variety is often chosen for northern climates where other honey locusts might struggle, making it an excellent choice for sustainable urban forestry.
6. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Imperial’
‘Imperial’ is notable for its broad, dense canopy and relatively fast growth rate, often reaching 50 feet tall with a spread of 40 feet. It has a uniform, symmetrical shape that works well as a shade or street tree. Its bright green foliage turns yellow in autumn, providing attractive seasonal color, and the thornless trait enhances its safety in public spaces.
7. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’
‘Sunburst’ is a distinctive cultivar recognized for its golden-yellow new foliage that emerges in spring, contrasting with darker green mature leaves. It grows to about 40 feet tall and offers both ornamental value and practical shade. Because of its vibrant color and thornless nature, ‘Sunburst’ is often used in residential landscaping to add visual interest.
8. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Ruby Lace’
‘Ruby Lace’ is a newer cultivar with striking purple to burgundy foliage that fades to green as the season progresses. It grows more slowly than other honey locusts, reaching about 30 to 40 feet tall, and is thornless. This variety is favored for adding bold color and texture in garden designs while maintaining the honey locust’s adaptability.
9. Gleditsia triacanthos var. triacanthos (Wild Honey Locust)
Wild honey locusts are the original thorny form of the species, often found in natural woodlands and prairies. They can develop massive, branched thorns up to several inches long, which historically protected the tree from herbivores. While less commonly planted in urban areas due to their thorns, they are important ecologically and for restoration projects.
10. Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Suncole’ (Suncole Honey Locust)
‘Suncole’ is a cultivar known for its variegated leaves, which feature a mix of green and yellow patterns. It grows to about 40 feet tall and provides a unique ornamental appeal not typical of most honey locusts. This tree adds color and texture to landscapes, especially in gardens that benefit from variegated foliage visual interest.
How to Choose
When selecting a honey locust tree, consider your site conditions and desired tree characteristics. If safety and maintenance are concerns, opt for thornless varieties like ‘Shademaster’ or ‘Skyline.’ For smaller spaces or street plantings, narrow or upright cultivars such as ‘Skyline’ fit best. Climate tolerance is key; ‘Moraine’ performs well in colder regions, while most other varieties thrive in USDA zones 4 to 9. Also, think about foliage color and growth rate—ornamental cultivars like ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Ruby Lace’ offer unique aesthetics but may grow slower or require more care. Soil adaptability and drought tolerance are strengths of honey locusts generally, but confirming your local conditions can ensure the tree thrives long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are honey locust trees invasive?
Some honey locust varieties can naturalize and spread in certain regions, but they are generally not considered invasive in most parts of North America.
Q: Do honey locust trees require a lot of maintenance?
Thornless varieties require minimal maintenance, though occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove seed pods may be needed.
Q: Can honey locust trees tolerate urban pollution?
Yes, honey locusts are well-known for their tolerance to urban pollution, compacted soils, and drought, making them excellent city trees.
Q: Why do some honey locust trees have thorns?
The thorns are a natural defense mechanism against herbivores. Thornless cultivars have been bred for safety and ease of maintenance.
Q: Are the seed pods edible?
Yes, the sweet seed pods of honey locust trees have been historically eaten by Native Americans and wildlife, though they are not commonly consumed today.
Q: How fast do honey locust trees grow?
Most honey locusts grow moderately fast, typically 2 to 3 feet per year under good conditions.
Final Thoughts
Honey locust trees offer a remarkable combination of adaptability, beauty, and practicality. Whether you need a thornless shade tree for an urban street or a colorful specimen for a garden, there is a honey locust variety to meet your needs. Understanding the differences between common species and cultivars ensures you select the right tree for your landscape’s size, climate, and aesthetic goals. With their resilience and unique foliage, honey locusts continue to be a favored choice for many planting projects.
Related
- Is Barbecue Flavor Vegetarian? Ingredients, Uses, and Alternatives
- I Am Thankful Turkey Craft Ideas for Kids and Classrooms
- How to Grow Pothos in Water: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide