Honey Locust, Thornless

The Thornless Honeylocust tree typically reaches heights between 30 and 70 feet with spreads much the same. The TRUNK of the tree is generally short and the spreading crown is very open and flattened on top. In nature, the tree is mostly found in flood plains, although it does grow in dry limestone hills. For best growth, the tree should be planted in acidic soils with full sun and pruned in the fall.

The alternate, pinnately (sometimes bipinnately) compound LEAVES are 6-8” long, each with 20-30 leaflets. The leaflets are oblong-lanceolate in shape and range from 1/3-1 1/2 inches long. The sides of the leaves have rounded projections and the bottom is covered in tiny hairs. The glossy top of the leaves is a bright green that changes to yellow in the fall before falling.

Throughout May and June, fragrant, greenish yellow FLOWERS appear on the dioecious tree. Male flowers are borne in clusters on 2” long racemes while female flowers appear in few-flowered racemes. The flowers have 5 petals that are covered with fine hairs.

The FRUIT from the Thornless Honeylocust comes in the form of dark brown, flat pods. The pods are 7-8” long and covered in tiny hairs. Inside the curved and twisted pods are flattened, dark brown seeds.

The gray-brown BARK is fissured in long, narrow ridges. The brown TWIGS are stout, zigzagged and, unlike most other honeylocusts, have no spines. The reddish brown WOOD is hard, strong and heavy.

All kinds of animals, including livestock, enjoy the sweet pulp that surrounds the seeds. Wood from this tree is used in carpentry, as well as for railway ties.