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Honey locust

Gleditsia triacanthos
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edibleperennialtall treesedible
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Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust) — botanical photograph
Pl. 4ACD — Gleditsia triacanthos
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Overview

The Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a perennial tree or shrub native to several states in the United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It is also found in parts of Mexico. This plant thrives in a range of conditions, from full sun to dry or moist soil, and can tolerate different soil types, including sandy, medium, and clay. The Honey locust can grow into a tall tree, reaching heights of up to 20 meters, with a width of about 17 meters. The plant is known for its edible parts, specifically the seeds and seedpods, which can be used in various culinary applications such as coffee, drink, gum, and sweetener. Its ability to grow into a tall tree makes it an attractive ornamental species, contributing to urban and rural landscapes. The Honey locust's adaptability and wide native range make it a notable species within its family. While the plant is not medicinal in nature, its introduced regions include Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and several other countries. Its introduction into these areas has made it an important resource for animal feed, gum production, soil reclamation, tannin extraction, lumber, and fragrance. The Honey locust is known to have a weed potential in some regions due to its rapid growth rate and adaptability. It can thrive in hardiness zones 3-9, making it suitable for cultivation in various climates. Its distinctive features include its ability to grow into a tall tree with deciduous leaves, and its tolerance of different soil types and moisture levels.

Quick answers

What is Honey locust?

The Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a perennial tree or shrub native to several states in the United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minneso

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

This plant thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil types, from light and sandy to heavy clay, with a pH between 4.8 and 8. It is also adaptable to different moisture levels, growing well in both dry and moist conditions. Hardy in a variety of regions, its hardiness range is between 3 and 9. As a perennial, it can grow into a shrub or tree, reaching heights of up to 20 meters and widths of up to 17 meters. The edible parts of this plant are the seeds and seedpods.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Shrub, Tree
Mature size
20.0 m × 17 m
Soil pH
4.8–8
For first-time growers

How to grow Honey locust for the first time

8steps

Start with planting a Honey locust tree in your garden for its hardiness and beauty, even if you can't harvest it.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    A Honey locust sapling, gloves, a shovel, and some mulch.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring or late fall when the ground is not frozen.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure soil drains well; amend with compost if necessary. For containers, use a mix of light and heavy soils.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Transplant saplings directly into the ground or a large pot. Dig a hole twice as wide but not deeper than the root ball.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist, especially if it's dry. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water deeply once a week during dry spells. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune annually to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Harvest seedpods if desired for crafts.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting winter protection in colder zones.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:SeedSeedpod
Edible uses: Coffee, Drink, Gum, Sweetener
Other uses:Animal feedGumSoil reclamationTanninLumberFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

43 native · 47 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 43 native· 47 introduced
Europe12 regions
introduced (12)AustriaBelarusBulgariaFranceGermanyHungaryItalyPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainUkraine
Asia9 regions
native (1)Georgia
introduced (8)ChinaIndiaIraqKazakhstanPakistanSaudi ArabiaTurkmenistanUzbekistan
Americas1 region
introduced (1)Uruguay
Africa4 regions
introduced (4)LesothoMozambiqueUgandaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
introduced:Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Baltic States, Cape Provinces, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, Free State, Kirgizstan, KwaZulu-Natal, Mexico Southwest, New Mexico, New South Wales, Northern Provinces, Queensland, South Australia, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Victoria, West Himalaya
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust) — botanical photograph
Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
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