Honey Locust Tree

Thorny trees are not always favored by many gardeners. This is because you do not want your kids or yourself to get accidentally pricked by the sharp thorns. There are a few exceptional thorny plants and trees like the honey locust tree. This is a fast-growing deciduous tree that is native to North America. It is medium-sized and can grow in different types of soils.

These trees are found growing in many regions of eastern North America like South Dakota, New Orleans and central Texas. It is also found growing in east Massachusetts.

Identification
The tree has a distinctive bark that is dark brown in color. When the tree reaches maturity, the bark becomes more scaly. The trunk is short and about 3 feet in diameter. The leaves are bright green in color and are oblong in shape. They are compound leaves that grow yellow in fall. The tree grows seed pods that are about 1½ feet in size and about 2 inches wide. The seed pods contain 10 to 20 oval seeds that are brown in color. The fleshy part of these seed pods is sweet to taste. Hence, it is called honey locust tree. Its identification is very easy because of the thorns growing on them.

Flowers
This tree is a polygamodioecious species. This means the male and female flowers grow on separate plants, they produce perfect flowers as well. The yellow-green flowers blossom in June and bloom in 2½ inches long clusters. The seed pods are produced when the plant reaches 10 years of age.

Types
There are three types of honey locust trees. The 'Sunburst' is one type that is seedless as well as podless. It produces bright green leaves that turn yellow. The second type is 'Shademaster' that too is seedless as well as podless. The branches of Shademaster are ascending and produces dark green leaves. The 'Majestic' is a thornless type that looks similar to your common honey locust. 'Summergold' is another variety that produces gold-green leaves during the summer.

Growth
If you plan to grow this tree, you need to search for a site with well-drained soil that is moist. This tree is drought resistant as well as flood resistant. The plant needs a full sun to grow and does not mind acidic soil as well as alkaline soil and it also tolerates pollution. It produces flowers in spring that have a very sweet fragrance.

Uses
It is used in urban areas as it can tolerate pollution. It is grown in areas to control soil erosion, as a windbreaker as well as for rehabilitation of vegetation. The wood of the tree is dense and hard. It is coarse-grained and shock resistant. Therefore it is used to make pallets, furniture, railroad ties, fence posts, firewood, etc. However, it is not commonly found and therefore, does not hold much economical value. The seed pods are eaten by animals like rabbits, goats, sheep, opossum, squirrels, crows and deer. The rabbits and white-tailed deer tend to eat the soft bark and vegetative growth. Hunters often hide behind these trees to hunt down deer, who love eating their seed pods.

Diseases Affecting the Tree
The only disease that affects the tree adversely is canker. This is a fungal disease that is caused by Thyronectria austroamericana. It causes dieback of the branches, premature fall coloration and leaf drop. Apart from canker, this tree is also affected from root collar rot. This is a dangerous disease as it can cause the death of the tree. It causes discoloration of the bark and wood and affect the cambium of the tree. Pruning of the affected part and use of fungicides will help get rid of these fungal infections.

Honey locust trees are popular ornamental garden trees and known for the cool shade they provide. They are sometimes used to make fermented beer from their seed pulp. Grow them in your garden and you will find many birds, butterflies and bees visiting your home.