Honey locust tree, Gleditsia trianthos, also known as the thorny locust and sweet locust is a fast growing, deciduous tree that can grow to 80 ft tall. Native to central and eastern North America. Honey locust is an excellent choice to plant in a native garden. The leaves turn bright yellow in the fall.
The long, sharp thorns make this tree unsuitable for home landscapes.
Likes full sun to partial shade planted in a well-drained, moist organic rich soil. Is tolerant to salt, wind, drought, pollution and is deer resistant. It's fine leaves and open branch structure allow enough filtered light to penetrate to allow grass and shrubs to grow underneath while providing moderate shade. This long lived,hardy species is popular for hedges, windbreaks, soil erosion control, and attracting wildlife. Wildlife and livestock eat the sweet nutritious bean shaped seed pods and find protection from predators in the tree thickets.
Flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators.
It's small leaves also make it an ideal bonsai candidate.
Honey locust wood is dense and harder than white oak. Wood is easy to split, and is rot resistant. It is used for fuel, fence post, tool handles, and railroad ties.