Honey Locust

Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos

Although naturally occurring mainly in the eastern-central portions of the United States, honey locust can be found throughout a large portion of North America. This moderately fast growing tree may also be referred to as sweet-locust or thorny-locust. The wood is hardy and the tree very drought resistant. A honey locust tree may grow up to 24 m (80 ft) tall and live to be over 100 years of age, although fruit crops usually stop around that time period.

Bark of honey locust tree.

The common name thorny-locust is for the characteristic large, sharp thorns that may be found on the lower trunk and limb sprouts. The other common names honey locust, or sweet-locust, comes for the sweet, edible pulp and seeds of this particular species. The dried pulp served as a sweetening agent for many Native American tribes and was sometimes fermented to make alcohol. The seeds were a minor food source often dried or roasted and sometimes as a coffee substitute. The pods are now more often consumed by a variety of wildlife and livestock. Many pollinating insects are also drawn to the flowers. The wood of the tree is commonly used in the timber industry as it is durable when in contact with soil, and it is capable of obtaining a high luster finish.