Gleditsia triacanthos

"Gleditsia triacanthos

A tree species that stands out with such special characteristics is definitely worthy of being the plant of the month. Gleditsia triacanthos, the honey locust, is a very undemanding tree with an elegant appearance. In temperate and subtropical regions, it grows up to 30 meters tall. In Central Europe, it is less common and, if seen, then 10, at most 15 to 20 meters tall. The name: far more than just sound and fury."

Gleditsia triacanthos is the botanical name for the three-thorned honey locust. Also known as Christusdorn (though this name can also refer to Euphorbia milii), these trees have three individual thorns on their trunk and branches during their childhood and youth, which branch out over time. Some varieties retain thorns arranged in clusters even in adulthood. However, there are also several thornless varieties that are preferably used in public spaces. The most popular of these are: Shademaster, Skyline, Sunburst, and Gleditsia triacanthos inermis.

The honey locust is also called the leather pod tree. If it feels comfortable in its location, it develops leathery pods that hang deep on the branches well into winter. Enticing honey scent and other attractive properties.

The young saplings want to grow quickly and shoot up rapidly with a central shoot that angles upwards. After about ten years, the growth slows down, and the branches then tend towards a horizontal direction.

Despite their tall stature, honey locusts have a very delicate appearance. This is due to their dark green leaves, which are reminiscent of ferns in their fineness. The flowers are not particularly showy, but their fragrance is all the sweeter. Their nectar and pollen – a paradise for insects.

Besides its beautiful appearance, what makes the honey locust an excellent urban tree, and why should every larger garden have one? It tolerates drought and heat just as well as sudden downpours and is not bothered by exhaust fumes, road salt, and paving. It hardly gets sick, and pests ignore it. It is so undemanding and resistant that even those less gifted in gardening can hardly go wrong. The trees are only slightly sensitive to frost and wind.

With their vase-shaped or umbrella-like crowns, honey locusts are excellent for lining avenues, green strips, cemeteries, parks – and, of course, large and medium-sized gardens.