The genus Gleditsia includes deciduous, thorny trees in 14 species from woodland areas of Asia, North and South America, and tropical Africa. An elegant form in the landscape, a honeylocust has deeply cut, fern-like leaves that cast dappled shade. Flowers are generally inconspicuous but are followed by large, pendent seed pods. Trunks and branches are thorny. They make attractive specimen trees.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsElegant form; ferny foliage; large seed pods. Some species are extremely thorny.
CareTolerant of most any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
PropagationScarify seed and sow in containers in an open frame in autumn. Cultivars can be budded in summer or grafted in late winter.
ProblemsThe following can be problematic: tar spot, powdery mildew, twig and trunk canker, leaf spot, heart rot, mushroom root rot, caterpillars, aphids, borers, webworms, honeylocust pod gall midges, honeylocust plant bugs, scale insects, and plant hoppers.
