Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Honey Locust is a large, fast growing native tree in the legume family. It unfortunately doesn’t fix nitrogen, but does make large pods that can be used to make natural sweetener or used supplemental livestock feed. These are tough trees that can handle very cold, windy conditions making them useful along field edges or other areas that need to buffer wind. The double compound leaves cast a dappled shade that allows shade tolerant species to thrive beneath the canopy and offers a wonderful spot to rest on a hot summer afternoon. The timber of honey locust is strong, durable and rot resistant. Wild honey locust has large, strong thorns. Our seedlings were grown from thornless parent trees and do not currently have thorns but it is possible they will develop them as they mature. Generally not self-fertile. Plant two seedlings if the sweet pods are the goal. Our seedlings are approximately 16” tall. Hardy to zone 4.