what does a honey locust look like

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Are honey locust trees good for anything?

Honey locust wood is very dense, shock resistant, and commonly used in the timber industry. The durable wood is often used for fence posts, railroad ties, pallets, tool handles, and fuel, given that it can be easily split and is rot-resistant.

How do I identify a honey locust tree?

Honeylocust TreeNative.Reaches a mature height of 80′-100′Open crown width of 45′-55′Grey bark that can have thorns 12″ long.Alternate bud arrangement with zigzag pattern.Leaves are 9″-12″ pinnately (sometimes bi-pinnately – smaller size) compound and have 20-30 leaflets that are 1.5″-2.5″ long with smooth margins.More items...

How do you tell a black locust from a honey locust?

Honey locusts can be distinguished from Black Locusts by their longer, widespread thorns and longer seedpods. The bark of the two trees is also quite different in color and shape, and the Black Locust's flowers are large, showy white clusters, while those of the Honey Locust are creamy and insignificant.

Where do honey locust trees grow?

honey locust, (genus Gleditsia), also called locust, genus of 12 species of thorny trees or shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae). Honey locusts are native to North and South America, tropical Africa, and central and eastern Asia.

Is a honey locust tree poisonous?

This plant can become a nuisance, and will dominate a site if left unchecked or mismanaged. Honey locust can produce numerous thorns that are capable of puncturing implement tires. Though not listed as a toxic plant, contact with thorns often results in sore wounds that are slow to heal.

Do all honey locust trees have thorns?

Though native honey locust trees are typically densely covered in long, tough thorns, horticulturalists developed thornless honey locust varieties. While they almost always remain thornless, these domesticated varieties have the ability to produce thorns in rare cases.

Can humans eat honey locust pods?

Edible parts and other uses Only the fruits of honey locust are considered edible. The sweet and fleshy pulp of the bean pods can be eaten raw or extracted and used in a variety of ways. From smoothies, to beer. It has a sweet honey like taste, hence its name.

Is honey locust good firewood?

Honey locust turns out to be a pretty optimal firewood (as long as you're careful not to jab yourself with the thorns). At 26.7 million BTUs per cord, it burns nearly as hot as black locust (27.9) and is much easier to split.

Do honey locust trees attract bees?

The honey locust grows quickly, yet is remarkably tolerant of pollution, drought and salt. For this reason, it is often used in urban environments, where it provides fragrant spring flowers that attract bees, along with generous, dappled shade thanks to its tall size and wide spread (up to 70 feet on both counts).

Is honey locust tree good for backyard?

Tolerant of extreme urban stresses which makes them great choices along parking areas. Small leaflets allow for filtered light underneath to grow turfgrass or partial shade plants. Small leaflets are easily mowed over in the fall in lawn areas, and easy to clean-up in landscapes.

Why is it called a honey locust?

The thornless honeylocust is native from Pennsylvania to Nebraska and south to Texas. The first scientific observations of this species were made in 1700. The tree derives the name "Honey" from the sweet, honey-like substance found in its pods.

Do deer eat honey locust pods?

Honey Locust These trees produce bean pods that deer absolutely love. The trees and branches are covered in large thorns, and the brown pods are anything but subtle. The pods will begin dropping in early season Though the best time to see deer eating the pods will be later in the season.

What locust trees look like?

This tree features tiny green leaves with a mild tinge of blue. The leaves can grow up to 25 centimeters and are usually compound. The plant also produces striking white flowers with a dash of pink and purple. Flowers may be found hanging in a cluster measuring between four to twelve inches in length.

How do you identify a locust?

1:264:12How to Identify Locust Trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOften the dark brown pods are twisted individual leaflets on the pendent Lea compound leaves areMoreOften the dark brown pods are twisted individual leaflets on the pendent Lea compound leaves are about one inch long and the compound leaves are seven to eight inches. Long.

Are locust trees worth money?

Prices for these products range from $1 – $3 per linear foot for whole posts, and from $1.50 – $3.50/board foot for milled lumber, which is far above the prices for most conventional hardwood lumber.

How do you identify a locust tree in the winter?

In winter, Black Locust trees can be recognized by their persisting pods, which split open to reveal small dark seeds. Bark and twig characteristics are also useful. Branches often have pairs of sharp spines at each leaf node. Winter buds are mostly hidden, sometimes peeking out from under leaf scars.

What do Honey Locust Trees Look Like?

Root SystemHoney locust trees are very good at establishing a very strong root system. Most trees won't grow roots deeper than 1 meter into the soi...

How do Honey Locust Trees Reproduce?

FlowersHoney locust trees are of either sex. Male trees will possess loosely grouped male catkins that are green with 5 very small petals. Female t...

What is Another Type of Honey Locust Tree?

Because of the forementioned honey locust thorns, scientists have cultivated a new subspecies of thornless honey locust. This tree has been tradema...

Are Honey Locust Trees Invasive?

Honey locust trees are remarkable at adapting. They can grow in almost any temperature, soil condition, water level, and sun exposure. They also po...

What are the Growing Conditions of the Honey Locust Tree?

TemperatureThe honey locust tree can truly exist in almost any climate, the only condition is that the temperature cannot drop below -35 degrees Fa...

How are Honey Locust Trees Used?

WoodThe wood from a honey locust tree is of very high quality. It is durable, flexible, and polishes very well. However, the tree doesn't grow in s...

How tall is a honey locust?

The honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–98 ft). They exhibit fast growth, but live a medium-long life span of about 120 years. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1 in) (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green.

When do honey locusts turn yellow?

They turn yellow in the autumn. Honey locusts leaf out relatively late in spring, but generally slightly earlier than the black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ). The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils .

What is a thorny locust?

Gleditsia. Species: G. triacanthos. Binomial name. Gleditsia triacanthos. L. Native range. The honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ), also known as the thorny locust or thorny honeylocust, is a deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae, native to central North America where it is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys.

How long are honey locust thorns?

Honey locusts commonly have thorns 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) long growing out of the branches, some reaching lengths over 20 cm (8 in); these may be single, or branched into several points, and commonly form dense clusters.

What color are ripe beans?

The long pods, which eventually dry and ripen to brown or maroon, are surrounded in a tough, leathery skin that adheres strongly to the pulp within. The pulp—bright green in unripe pods—is strongly sweet, crisp and succulent in ripe pods. Dark brown tannin-rich beans are found in slots within the pulp.

What are the phytochemicals found in honey locusts?

In research using databases, more than 60 phytochemicals were identified from honey locust, including polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and saponins, with in vitro studies assessing for possible biological activity.

Do locusts grow in wood?

Timber. Honey locusts produce a high quality, durable wood that polishes well , but the tree does not grow in sufficient numbers to support a bulk industry. However, a niche market exists for honey locust furniture. It is also used for posts and rails because of the dense, rot-resistant nature of the wood.

What does Honey Locust Trees Look Like?

Honey locust trees are very good at establishing a very strong root system. Most trees won’t grow roots deeper than 1 meter into the soil, but this tree will dig down between 3 and 6 meters — this feature is why they can be such a nuisance, and so hard to remove from an area.

What is the difference between a black locust and a honey locust?

Black locust trees ( robinia pseudoacacia) have bark that is more roughly textured and is much darker in color than the honey locust. A black locust tree will also grow to be taller than its sibling, and its thorns are far less pronounced and intimidating.

What is Another Type of Honey Locust Tree?

This tree has been trademarked as the Sunburst honey locust, Skyline honey locust, or Suncole Honey locust ( gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ). The latin term inermis cleverly means “unarmed”.

What are the Growing Conditions of the Honey Locust Tree?

The honey locust tree can truly exist in almost any climate, the only condition is that the temperature cannot drop below -35 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a pretty reasonable request for anyone.

How do Honey Locust Trees Reproduce?

Honey locust trees are of either sex. Male trees will possess loosely grouped male catkins that are green with 5 very small petals. Female trees have female flowers in tighter cluster s that are a very attractive cream color. Both genders of flowers emerge from the base of leaf axils.

What is the pulp of a honey locust tree used for?

First Nations cultures have used the pulp from the honey locust tree for medicinal purposes for centuries. The pulp is eaten as food and is sometimes made into a tea to be taken medicinally.

How tall is a honey locust tree?

Dimensions. The honey locust tree is a very fast-growing tree, and will usually reach a height between 20 and 30 meters tall. The branches grow in an angular fashion into a flat-topped crown. Young trees are more of a pyramidal shape, which eventually even out.

Where does water locust grow?

A related species, Water Locust (Gleditsia aquatica), grows in swamps in the southeast United States, and has similar wood properties and anatomy. Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Mike Leigher for providing the wood sample of this wood species. Honey Locust (sanded)

What is the color of heartwood?

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a medium to light reddish brown. Wide sapwood is a light yellow, clearly distinguished from the heartwood. Very similar in appearance to Kentucky Coffeetree. Grain/Texture: Grain is usually straight or slightly irregular, with a medium uneven texture. Moderate natural luster.

Is honey locust available?

Pricing/Availability: Not widely or commonly available, limited quantities of Honey Locust are sometimes available within its natural range. Prices are likely to be in the mid to upper range for a domestic hardwood.

Is honey locust rot resistant?

Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to durable; susceptible to insect attacks. Workability: Honey Locust can be difficult to work with hand and machine tools on account of its density, though it generally produces good results. Turns, glues, stains, and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor.

Is honey locust toxic?

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust , no further health reactions have been associated with Honey Locust. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Is Honey Locust the same as Black Locust?

Comments: Somewhat similar in appearance to Black Locust, Honey Locust is technical ly in a different genus, ( Robinia and Gleditsia , respectively), and telling the two apart is somewhat similar to separating White and Red Oak —the pores of Black Locust are packed with tyloses, while they are absent in the pores of Honey Locust. Honey Locust bears a much closer resemblance to Kentucky Coffeetree, which is similar both in color, grain, and anatomy. The latewood pores of Coffeetree tend to be in circular clusters, while they are usually arranged in tangential bands in Honey Locust, being connected by confluent parenchyma.

How tall do honey locusts grow?

The honey locust is a very fast grower, and commonly reaches heights of around 70 to 100 feet. Unfortunately Gleditsia triacanthos does not normally live as long as other trees and can die as early as 100 years. The flowers of the honey locust are small and not showy, but the fruits are borne in long slender pods 15 to 40 cm long with sticky ...

When do honey locusts flower?

Expect flowering to happen May through June and for fruit to appear in September and October. Although the honey locust does not help to make honey, the name was given to the sweet taste of the seeds themselves, which were often eaten by Native Americans. They were also used as a coffee substitute and can even be fermented. Needless to say, they are very popular with the local wildlife as well!

What do red dots mean in a tree?

To find out other places where they grow, check out our interactive tree map. Red dots signify trees planted by the city.

Is a honey locust a good tree?

But don’t be afraid of its anti-social attitude, for the honey locust is a very pretty and useful tree that is commonly planted as an ornamental . Its leaves are delicate and narrow, arranged in an alternating compound form that allows more light to reach the ground and can permit other trees or plants to flourish underneath its canopy.

What do honey locusts produce?

The female honey locust trees produce long, flat and twisted fruits (or seed pods). The pale green seed pods turn reddish-brown and black, when they mature. As they ripen, the seed pods produce a strong smell. The sticky pulp inside the pods are edible. These seed pods fall off the tree during winter.

Why is honey locust called honey locust?

The name may be derived from the sweetness of the pulp that is also used for making beer. Its timber is highly valued for making furniture, as it is hard and durable. The seeds pods are used as fodder for livestock. Like black locust, different parts of the honey locust tree are also used for medicinal purposes.

How many species of locusts are there in the genus Robinia?

While the genus Gleditsia has 12 species, there are around ten species in the genus Robinia. The most popular among them are Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) and Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust). Both are deciduous, and are grown as landscape trees. You may also come across different locust cultivars.

What are the thorns on a honey locust tree?

Honey locusts carry thorns on their branches, and at the base of leaves. These thorns are longer (around 3 to 10 cm); and are seen in dense clusters. The young and tender thorns are green and soft. As they age, the thorns turn harder and reddish brown. Fully mature thorns are brittle, and are usually ash gray in color. The tree is also known as thorny locust.

What are the characteristics of a black locust tree?

One of the characteristic features of this tree is the short, prickly thorns that are located at the base of the leaves. The thorns of black locust trees are short, when compared to that of honey locusts.

How tall is a black locust tree?

It can grow to a height of around 25 meters and a diameter of around one meter. You may come across some of the very old black locust trees that have a height of around 50 meters and a diameter of 1.5 meters.

How to identify a locust tree?

In order to identify a locust tree; check the size of the tree, the color and texture of its bark, shape and arrangement of leaflets, flower color and structure, and nature of seed pods and thorns.

What is the difference between a black and honey locust tree?

The species of locust trees are divided into two genera: Robinia and Gleditsia. Black locust trees are in the Robinia genus, while honey locust trees are in the Gleditsia genus . The name “honey” comes from the fact that honey locust trees have pods with sweet taste.

When do honey locusts bloom?

The honey locust has clusters of small, creamy-green flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Compared to the black locust, the honey locust tree’s flowers aren’t as showy and stunning. However, both the Robinia and Gleditsia species of locust trees have strongly scented blossoms.

What are the two most common locust trees?

Let’s look at various kinds of locust trees, starting with the two most popular species—the black locust tree and the honey locust tree.

What is a locust tree?

Locust trees are fast-growing flowering trees that belong to a family of flowering plants called Fabaceae. The most common types of locust trees are the black locust and honey locust tree. Locust trees are hardy trees that are known for their hard and durable wood, fragrant sweet spring flowers, and colorful fall foliage.

How big are locust thorns?

Leaves of black locust tree. Another identifying feature of locust trees is their sharp thorns that can measure 1.2” to 4” (3 – 10 cm) long. These prickly spikes can grow singularly or on thorned branches. They are extremely tough and can easily puncture the skin. Locust tree thorns.

How tall do black locust trees grow?

Black locust trees grow to between 40 and 100 ft. (12 – 30 m) with exceptional varieties reaching heights of 171 ft. (52 m). The sharp spines on black locusts are usually present on immature trees and grow at the base of each leaf. Different to honey locust trees, the sharp spikes are short and don’t grow in long branches around the tree.

How long does a locust tree live?

Locust trees can live for over a hundred years, and the wood is one of the hardest woods from any deciduous tree. Locust tree lumber is exceptionally durable and the timber is excellent for making furniture, fence posts, flooring, and small boats. Compared to honey locust timber, black locust wood is more common.

What is a honey locust?

The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), also called the common honey locust is a medium-sized, quickly growing deciduous tree with bright to deep green leaves 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 4 1/2 inches wide. Those leaves turn yellow in the fall.

What are the factors that affect the growth of honey locusts?

However, they do best in rich, moist bottom lands. Other factors that can influence root development include the soil's depth and temperature, as well as the availability of water, minerals, oxygen and mycorrhizae fungi. These fungi invade tree root systems, but -- unlike many other types of fungi -- create a symbiotic relationship. The mycorrhizae network increases the tree's mineral and water uptake, while the tree provides carbohydrates to the fungi.

What are the characteristics of a tree root system?

Tree root systems, in their most basic form, are composed of a few large, permanent roots -- which provide anchorage and transportation of water and nutrients -- and smaller, temporary feeder roots and root hairs. These feeder roots provide the primary means of absorbing water and nutrients, which are mostly near the soil surface. These smaller roots serve this purpose for one or two years, after which they die or become integrated into the larger roots.

Do honey locusts have flat roots?

While honey locust roots may be somewhere in between classic tap root and heart root systems, they do not have flat root systems. Flat root systems are almost entirely near the surface. This can create problems for the tree's stability during wind storms and during events that disturb the soil. Shallow roots also create yard maintenance issues, as they can not be mowed or planted over. Common trees with flat roots include the silver and sugar maples, birch, cottonwood, fir, spruce and hackberry.

Is a honey locust a heart or a tap?

Some scientists classify the honey locust root system as a heart root system, while others classify it as a tap root system. This is understandable, as this tree's roots have characteristics of both.

Overview

Description

Cultivation and history

Uses

Nitrogen fixation

Research

Further reading

External links