The Honey Locust
Offered in a number of varieties by wholesale growers Gleditsia Triacanthos has a range of applications in landscaping.
Gleditsia Triacanthos or ‘Honey locust’ is a deciduous tree native to North America. Used widely in landscaping they are popular for the foliage colour as well as the overall appearance of the tree.
The foliage is one of the main attractions, bright, gently weeping and with a lacy appearance.
Gleditsia triacanthos var. intermis ‘Sunburst’
This is a medium size of about 8 metres in maturity. Commonly called Golden Honey Locust for colour of the new foliage.
Drought, and frost tolerant tree grown for the attractive foliage. The flowers are attractive to bees. The foliage itself is a deep green, however it is the new growth that is a golden yellow, as well as the brilliant yellow autumn colour that gives this plant its common name.
This is a deciduous tree reaching 8m is widely used as street trees. Medium to fast growing tree Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ is reasonably drought tolerant and with its attractive pendulous branches makes a good all round shade tree although it can also be used as a hedging plant.
This is a thornless tree unlike some varieties, over time it forms a rounded crown with a slightly pendulous habit.
Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Ruby Lace’
Used widely as a feature tree and with a natural spreading nature, Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Ruby Lace’ makes a good shade tree.
The foliage has a natural weeping habit and will turn to a golden yellow before dropping in winter.
Fast growing and attractive this is good tree for medium sized gardens, useful as a street tree and for parks and gardens.
How To Grow
- Best planted in late summer or early spring in a well drained humus rich soil.
- Dig the soil over well, plant at the same depth the tree was in the container and water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to suppress weeds and help maintain a moist root run.
- Fertilise with a general purpose slow release fertiliser in early spring, or use cow manure or other organic fertiliser in spring.
- As with other Gleditsia varieties Water well through the for the first few summers and deep water during long dry periods.
Pruning Gleditsia triacanthos
All varieties are best pruned in autumn, they does not seem to respond well to pruning at other times of the year.
Landscaping Uses
Widely used in parks gardens and as street trees. Gleditsia triacanthos are also well suited for the home garden for use as an ornamental shade tree.
Excellent as a small shade tree, and very hardy in the urban environment. They handle pollution, will cope with wet soils in winter as well as poor soils. Used in parks and larger urban gardens, suited as a street tree and fring planting on commercail properties.
Aa medium size of about 4 -15 metres in maturity. Drought, and frost tolerant tree attractive foliage. Flowers are attractive to bees.
Generally available in sizes from 2m up to 5m although some growers will carry more mature specimens.
All of the Gleditsia species listed below are Deciduous trees used as street trees and as shade trees in larger gardens. Indicated growth will depend on local conditions.
Varieties
- G. triacanthos ‘Elegantissima’ 4m
- G. triacanthos ‘Emerald Cascade’ (grafted weeping)
- G. triacanthos ‘Limegold’ 10m
- G. triacanthos ‘Rubylace’
- G. triacanthos’Shademaster’ 15m
- G. triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ 15m
- G. triacanthos ‘Elegantissima’ is sometimes available as a Standard
WHOLESALE GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS NURSERIES
WINTER HILL TREE FARM Ph: 02 4878 9193 Fax: 02 4878 9109
NSW Southern Highlands
Retail & Wholesale. Advanced trees & hedging. Grown in pots for year-round planting. 45 litre - 1000 litre available. Great range. Great Quality. Delivery available.
www.winterhill.com.au
"Propagation and Production of Native and Exotic Trees
with Natural Root Systems from 2 to 2,000 lts."
www.njrivett.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au