Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

Thornless Honey Locust is a large deciduous tree, reaching heights of up to 30'-70' and as the name implies it does not have the thorns of the its parent plant Gleditsia triacanthos.  It is a member of the bean family and has short trunk and open, spreading crown.  The fine-textured pinnately compound leaves give it a delicate silhouette.   Place it in the full sun in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil and make sure you have enough room for its mature size.

This flowering tree casts light shade allowing grass to be planted underneath and when the tiny leaflets drop in the fall it results in an easy clean up.  It transplants easily, tolerates poor clay soils, salt, drought, black walnut, and is resistant to damage by deer. The wood from this plant is very dense, durable when in contact with soil, and it is capable of obtaining a high luster finish making it a good choice for lumber or furniture projects. 

Gleditsia is named for the German botanist Gottlieb Gleditsch, triacanthos is Latin for 3-spined and inermis is Latin for unarmed.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Borers and webworms may be problems.  Honey locusts are susceptible to leaf spot, canker, witches’ broom, powdery mildew, and rust.

Quick ID Hints:

• adult leaves pinnately compound
• juvenile leaves bipinnately compound
• fruit is dark brown, pendulous pod, often curved or coiled
• short trunk, fine-textured, spreading crown
• pubescent midrib on leaf underside
• 20-30 leaflets per leaf

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.