Honey Locust (Thornless Honey Locust)
Gleditsia triacanthos · Fabaceae (Legume, Pea, or Bean family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Pinnately and bipinnately compound, deciduous
Shape
Oblate to elliptical leaflets with rounded to slightly pointed tips
Margin
Finely crenate or serrulate (with very small, subtle teeth)
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement on the branch, with leaflets arranged oppositely or sub-oppositely along the rachis
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib and fine secondary branching veins
Key Features
Compound or doubly compound leaves with numerous small leaflets, smooth or finely toothed margins, alternate arrangement, and often large branched thorns on the trunk of wild-type trees
Description
The Honey Locust is a medium to large deciduous tree known for its delicate, fern-like foliage, dappled shade, and sometimes formidable branched thorns on the trunk (though thornless cultivars are common). It produces large, twisted leathery pods and turns a brilliant yellow in the fall.
Habitat
Found naturally in moist bottomland soils, along streams, and in open woods, but highly adaptable to urban environments, drought, and poor soils
Native Range
Native to central and eastern North America, from Pennsylvania west to Nebraska and south to Texas, widely planted as an urban street tree