Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermisIndiana Native
Thornless Common Honeylocust

Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis - Tree Habit

Family:

Fabaceae (Bean Family) 51

Genus:

Gleditsia (Honeylocust, Honey Locust) 7

Plant Type:

Tree 583

Growth Forms:

Upright 594

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 250

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 871

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Spring; not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark green pinnately compound summer foliage); Yellow (Pleasant, bright yellow fall coloration)

Stem Notes:

Multi-colored (Reddish to greenish brown, shining, smooth, often streaked, zig-zag with enlarged nodes)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Long (7-18"), interesting pods; can be a litter problem)

Ultimate Height:

30-70 feet

Ultimate Spread:

30-50 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 237

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to soils

Range:

United States, Pennsylvania to Iowa south to Georgia and Texas

Maintenance:

Low 324

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves alternate, pinnately or bipinnately compound, 6-8" long with pubescent rachis and leaflets only 0.3-1.5" long. Zig-zag branches with swollen nodes of a shining red to reddish to greenish-brown color. Fruits (when present) are 7-18" reddish-brown pods that persist. Bark is divided into flat plates, separated by deep ridges.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Honey Locust

Special Characteristics:

Drought Tolerant 296

Salt Tolerant 61

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 192

Additional Information

This large tree has finely compound leaves that provide a pleasant, dappled shade in the summer. The thornless forma inermis is only sold in commerce, as the profuse thorns of the species type can be a liability. Mimosa webworm and locust mite are serious pests in the Midwest, and are becoming more serious (especially in areas tending toward monoculture). Can be controlled with spraying.