Honey Locust
ExploreTrees
Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
The Honey Locust tree has thorns and sweet pods that animals love to eat. Its leaves turn a beautiful golden color in the fall, making it a lovely sight in parks and gardens.
Habitat: Parks, Gardens
Appearance
The Honey Locust has sharp, often branched thorns on its trunk and branches, making it visually distinct. Its delicate, fern-like leaves turn golden in autumn, and it produces long, flattened, purplish-brown seed pods.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusGleditsia
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
13
Interesting facts
Ancient animals like mammoths might have helped spread Honey Locust seeds!
Early settlers used Honey Locust thorns as needles and nails!
Its wood is very hard, once used for fence posts and furniture!
Some Honey Locust varieties are thornless, perfect for parks!
Special abilities
Ability
Spiky Shield Power
Honey Locust has fierce, sharp thorns that help it defend against hungry plant-eaters trying to munch on its tender branches.
Ability
Sweet Pod Lure
Honey Locust produces sweet, edible pods that attract animals, helping spread its seeds far and wide to grow new trees.
Ability
Root Power
Honey Locust has incredibly tough roots that help it survive in dry soil and even polluted city environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-15 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 60-90 cm
- Lifespan
- 80-120 years
- Fruit Type
- Legume pod
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Honey Locust Pod Gall Midge
Dasineura gleditschiae
larvae cause galls on leaves
eats
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
consumes sweet seed pods, aiding dispersal
shelters
White Oak
Quercus alba
often grows alongside in native woodlands
shelters
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
often nests in cavities or branches
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Thorny Stem
Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Sweet LocustThorny Locust
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch out for the thorns on the Honey Locust tree and avoid touching them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Honey Locust?
The easiest way to identify Honey Locust is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Honey Locust?
15-30 m
How wide does Honey Locust spread?
10-15 m
Is Honey Locust edible?
Yes
How big is Honey Locust?
60-90 cm
How long does Honey Locust live?
80-120 years
Where is Honey Locust usually found?
Parks, Gardens
What kind of fruit does Honey Locust produce?
Legume pod
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park44 sightings50 species
Illinois, US
Downtown Quincy Historic District
You might spot Eastern Fox Squirrel, Amur Honeysuckle, and Poison Hemlock.
View guide →
Park45 sightings50 species
Tennessee, US
Isaac Franklin Plantation
You might spot Pond Slider, White-Tailed Deer, and Great Blue Heron.
View guide →
Park45 sightings50 species
Illinois, US
Lock and Dam No. 21
You might spot Ivory Gull, Bald Eagle, and Eastern Fox Squirrel.
View guide →
Park40 sightings50 species
Louisiana, US
Locust Grove State Historic Site
You might spot Mississippi River Wakerobin and Lyreleaf Sage.
View guide →
Park47 sightings50 species
Tennessee, US
Market Square
You might spot American Robin and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
View guide →
Park35 sightings50 species
Texas, US
McClellan Creek National Grassland
You might spot Silverleaf Nightshade and Green Comet Milkweed.
View guide →
