Honey Locust | Nebraska Invasive Species Council

Credit: John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org

General Information

Species Name: Gleditsia triacanthos

Also Known As: Honey-shucks, sweet locust, three-thorned-acacia, thorn tree, thorny locust, sweet-bean

Family: Fabaceae (Bean)

Growth Form: Tree

Life Span: Perennial

Flowering Dates: May-June

Origin: Native

Noxious: No

Why Is It Problematic?

Honey locust is considered a pioneer species and is one of the first species to establish in disturbed sites. This can be problematic for ranchers and farmers during land management, who may have damage to their equipment from honey locust's large thorns or whose livestock are unable to graze in area where honey locust is present due to thorns. Honey locust thorns can pose a threat to both animals and people.

Historically, honey locust was managed by wildfires, as it is not a fire-tolerant species. However, without fire management honey locust can displace native and desirable species. Additionally, managing honey locust can be difficult, as cutting or mowing can increase sprouts. In areas to which it is non-native honey locust has proven to be a highly aggressive invaders as it is tolerant of a variety of soil and environmental conditions.

What Does It Look Like?

General Characteristics

Honey locust can grow up to 80 feet tall and has a broad, flat-topped crown that allows moderate light permeation.

Flowers

Flowers are small and can be greenish-white or yellow. They will appear after leaves open and grow in clusters. There are separate male and female flowers.

Leaves

Leaves are alternately arranged about stems and comprised of 15-30 leaflets. Each leaflet is approximately 1-2 inches long and are broadest near the base of the leaf. Leaflet margins are either untoothed or may have very small, rounded teeth. The topside of the leaf appears shiny whereas the underside of the leaf is pale and may have small hairs.

Bark/Stems

Trunk bark is grayish brown or black, with older trees possessing deep, narrow grooves that separate into scaly ridges. Twigs are greenish to reddish brown and shiny. They often have a zigzag appearance. Thorns are rigid, sharp, straight, shiny, purplish, and reach up to 12 inches in length. Thorns can be found on branches and twigs.

Seeds

Seeds are brown, oval, and reach about 1/2 inch long. 6 to 27 seeds may be contained in a dark brown, leathery seed pod. Pods are narrow, flat, twist with age, and can reach 6-18 inches long.

Photos

Green compound leaves with small, oblong leaflets in a natural outdoor setting.

Credit: Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org

Leafy honey locust branch with red thorns against a blurred background.

Credit: Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Catkins hanging from a tree branch against a blurred green background.

Credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Honey locust seed pod with visible seeds.

Credit: Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Brown seed pods hanging from a tree with green foliage.

Credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Deeply furrowed, ash gray honey locust tree trunk.

Credit: Vern Wilkins, Indiana University, Bugwood.org

Sharp tree thorns with cobwebs and a blurred natural background.

Credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Green honey locust tree in a suburban neighborhood.

Credit: David Stephens, Bugwood.org

Where Does It Grow?

Honey locust is native to the Midwest United States, including Nebraska, and has become naturalized in some parts of the Eastern United States. It is considered a pioneer species and is one of the first species to establish after disturbances, such as fire or flooding. It is well adapted to a variety of soil and environmental conditions, establishing in woodlands, rocky areas, river floodplains, pastures and rangelands, and along fence rows. While it can be found in forested areas, it is not usually a primary component of forest biomass. It is shade-tolerant but is not fire-tolerant. Honey locust can occur in stands or as a solitary tree.

Honey locust becomes problematic when it invades managed grass, pasture, and crop areas. Additionally, it can displace native vegetation in natural ecosystems after disturbances if no fire even occurs to help manage honey locust populations.

How Does It Spread?

Honey locust spreads via seed. Seed can be distributed by wildlife, livestock, and birds which favor the fruit of honey locust. Honey locust seeds can also be spread by attaching to equipment, clothing, shoes, and when intentionally planted by people. Honey locust also produces from stump and root sprouts.

Honey locusts produce seed from 10-100 years of age. Seed production occurs every year, but large crops will be produced every 2 years. Honey locust seeds can remain viable for several years.

How Do I Control It?

Mechanical

Prescribed burning is an effective control strategy for honey locust. Saplings and small trees can be removed by hand-pulling or digging. Cutting honey locust at the stump without removing the stump and roots can result in aggressive resprouting of the plant. Take care when handling honey locust trees to avoid sharp, hazardous thorns.

Contact your county weed control authority to determine appropriate removal methods.

Cultural

Instead of honey locust, consider planting an alternative native tree for landscaping purposes. Planting honey locust for landscape purposes is generally not recommended due to its invasive tendencies and large, sharp, hazardous thorns.

One way that invasive plant seeds and fragments can spread is in soil. Sometimes plants are planted purposefully. You can prevent the spread of invasive plants.

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