Honey Locust Leaves  Gleditsia triacanthos

Characteristics

Leaves: alternate arrangment, doubly pinnately compound, containing numerous oblong-lanceolate leaflets;  tips are rounded somewhat  & occasionally pointed, the base is rounded and is somewhat asymmetrical; leaflet edges are slightly serrated; leaflet surface is smooth except for a few hairs present along the veins; size of leaflets  up to 1 1/2 inches in length and less than half in width.

Flowers: may or may not have both stamens or pistils, may have one or the other; grouped in long clusters up to 3 inches in length; flowers are yellow and small, and bloom in May and June.

Fruit: long legumes up to 1 1/2ft. long and up to 2 inches wide, may be flattened or twisted, purplish brown in color,  seeds are enclosed in the thick pulp.

Twig: thin, branching at an angle or at a zigzag, smooth and  reddish-brown in color,   3 parted or unbranched thorn that can be either small or very large; has alternating leaf scars with 3 bundle traces.

Bark: Dark brown in color with deep furrows, forming scales over time..

Form: Grows to 70ft. in height with a  trunk diameter of up to 3ft; has broadly rounded crown with relaxed outer branches; straight & strong trunk with large purple-brown 3 part thorns on often on both trunk and stems.

Habitat:  roadsides; moist soil; wooded areas.

Range: "New York across to South Dakota, south to Texas, east to Florida".

Wood Description and uses: Wood is considered hard with a rough grain  with a  reddish-brown color.  It is used as fence posts and building materials. Thorn-less variety is sometimes used as landscaping.

Distinguishing Features: more leaflets than any other tree in Illinois, 3 large parted thorns with long fruit pods.

Buds: round in shape, almost invisible lying under the leaf scars, color is deep brown, has a smooth texture, is about 1/8 inch in length.

Location: Greenup, IL. (Cumberland High School)

Sources Cited: Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.). Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

(c) 2002-2003 Cumberland High School Davida P

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page