10 Different Types of Honeylocust Tree

Trees add vibrance and beauty to nature and are a resource for humans and animals. An array of trees worldwide grow in different locations and conditions. One of the tree species is the honey locust tree. Maybe you’ve not heard about it before, and your query may be, what is a honey locust tree?

In a nutshell, the honey locust tree, also known as thorny locust, is a deciduous tree characterized by graceful foliage, small leaves, and thorns. It’s native to eastern America and is used for shade and ornamental purposes.

This article looks into the different types of honey locust tree. So let’s get into it.

1. Shade Gets More Fulfilling Under a Rounded Crown of the Imperial Honey Locust Tree

Known for its delicate and feathery leaves, it is one of the most common shade trees. Unlike other honey locust trees, it doesn’t have thorns. Instead, the tree features bright green fern-like leaves that form a conspicuous circular canopy around the trunk. Imperial honey locust has green leaves during spring which fade to yellowish in fall and shed off during winter. They are an excellent option for landscaping but also fit as street trees.

For growth, it grows faster than other honey locust species to a height of 35 feet and a spread of 30 feet. Before planting this shady tree, there should be no power line nearby as its height during maturity may interfere with it. It is tolerant to unfavorable growing conditions of low water and high heat. Imperial honey locust thrives in dry locations under USDA hardiness zone 4-8. They also thrive under different soil PH, thus not affected by the salt content. If well attended to, it can last up to 70 years.

The imperial honey locust is commonly used for shade but also has a significant place for decoration purposes. Landscapers use it to bring an ultra-fine appearance to a landscape. What makes it a better option is that it requires low maintenance. Despite its broad growth rate, the falling off during autumn saves you the hassle of pruning it. The fall also protects it from hard freezes and snow.

2. Add Vibrance To Your Space With a Cluster of Rose-pink Flowers in a Bristly Locust Tree

Also known as moss locust, a bristly locust tree is a flowering deciduous shrub. It originated from southeastern America and has recently spread to several northern parts. It grows aggressively, but larger Michigan, Washington, and Ohio areas find it invasive.

The bristly locust grows to a height of 8 feet. It features dark-green compound leaves that sprout from the bristly stem. The flowers are pinkish with a peas-like structure that forms a fragrant cluster that attracts bees and butterflies. Its growth rate ranges from fast to moderate depending on the growth conditions.

Bristly locust can tolerate dry and poor soils but thrives in loamy, moist soils with a high PH. It’s a good choice for sloppy areas with high soil erosion and stabilizes cover in desert areas. The blooming season is usually spring to mid-summer, after which brownish bristly seed pods appear. Its thriving habitats include thickets, woodland edges, fence rows, banks of drainage areas, vacant lots, and waste areas.

In ancient times, it was used for medicinal reasons like teeth treatment, and as a brewed tonic for cows. Today it’s used to construct fences, houses, artifacts, and darts due to its solidness.

3. When You Need Some Lite Shade, the Skyline Honey Locust Tree Will Sort You

Originating from northern America, a native of Pennsylvania, the skyline honey locust features a pyramid structure. The foliage has tiny oval-shaped leaves that are not densely packed. During autumn, the leaves bring out conspicuous yellow leaves. It has a delicate and ferny structure and is one of the most popular shade trees.

The skyline honey locust grows fast with a height increase above 24” per year. Its height at maturity reaches 45 feet and spreads to 25 feet. It is tolerant to urban stress, including high PH, pollution, and wet and dry grounds. This thornless honey locust tree thieves in USDA hardiness zone 3-9. It also grows well under full sunlight.

The unique pyramidic form and fabulous texture make it ideal for landscaping. It can also be used for accents at home and in commercial places. Most landscapers would recommend it due to its low maintenance. For pruning, you should do it after winter because if you prune before, winter may destroy the remaining leaves.

During late spring, there is a blooming of greenish-yellow flowers. There is also a yielding of long, large, and brown seed pods that look like twisted leather straps. The pods produce a chewy, sticky, and sweet substance. Its trunks and branches have extensively long thorns of up to 3 inches.

4. Purple-pink Has Never Looked Better Than When on the New Mexico Honey Locust tree

Also known as a Rose locust, the New Mexico honey locust can be grown as a shrub or a tree, depending on the soil type. Despite its Mexican name, it originates from the southwestern parts of America. It grows up to 30 feet as a tree and 10 feet as a thicket shrub. Its leaves are pinnately compound with two sharp thorns on the stem. It has thick and large branches that create 10 feet to 7 feet of shade.

The Mexico honey locust has pea-like flowers that are showy in white, purple, or purple-pink. They are densely positioned to form a magnificent cluster. It also has a fruit that sprouts from the flowers in the form of a hairy 3-inch pod with several seeds. This thorned honey locust variety’s habitat preference includes canyons, along streams, and in forests where they thrive as thickets. They are commonly found in Arizona, Nevada, California, and New Mexico.

It has an array of uses based on its different parts. In ancient times, the pods were eaten raw or cooked for preservation, and flowers were boiled and dried as food. It was also used for medicinal value and to make bows. Today, it is used for landscaping and decorative purposes on lawns and streets.

5. Shade Gives a Relaxing Feel Under the Arching Leaves of the Sunburst Honey Locust Tree

A native of the southeastern part of the United States, the sunburst honey locust is known for offering dappling shade. It features yellow pinnately compound leaves during spring which turn greenish during fall. The foliage is showy with captivating lime green, which appears golden in spring.

The sunburst honey locust tree grows to a height of 40 feet during maturity and spreads to 25 feet. It’s therefore not suitable for areas near or under power lines. It thrives in full sun conditions and adapts to moist and dry growing conditions. This dappling shade tree can tolerate different soil PH and urban pollution hence ideal for city environments. If well catered for, it can last up to 70 years.

Its unique and delicate textures have won it a sweet spot as a preferred choice for landscaping. It is used for accent and to offer dappled shade. This shade is favorable to underground vegetation as it exposes them to sunlight. It is relatively low maintenance and should be pruned after winter.

6. Get a Perfect Lawn With Shademaster Locust Tree

The Shademaster locust tree is one of the best cultivars. It is a native of North America that matures to a height of 50-70 feet with a spread of 35-50 feet. Its growth rate is 2-4 feet during the first 15 years. The Shademaster grows into a circular to oval shape. It has green leaves that sprout during summer and turn golden yellow in fall.

Shademaster locust tree is harder than most honey locust tree species, but it doesn’t produce seed pods and sharp thorns. Due to its tiny leaflets, it doesn’t need to create too much cover during fall; thus, no raking is required. It can thrive in diverse soil alkaline conditions, although it grows better in confined soil places.

This tree is easy to manage as it develops a central leader as it grows. At a young age, train it to be upright with spreading branches by pruning it two to three times within several years. This results in a desirable tree for decoration. It’s used along and around parking lots, streets, sidewalk contours, shade, and residential areas.

7. The Shade Under Highly Ornamental Pinnately Leaves of the Ruby Lace Thornless Honey Locust is a Breeze

The ruby honey locust is a shade and accent tree. It has spiky thorns on the stems and branches.

This tree has an amazing landscape appearance characterized by upright growth and coppery-bronze color. Its seed pods sprout during fall.

It grows to a height of 30 feet during maturity with a spread of 25 feet. Its leaves and branches create a canopy that’s 6 feet from the ground. The ruby lace thornless honey locust is a low-maintenance tree that tolerates seashore, pollution, heat, wind, drought, and deer. It thrives in a USDA hardiness zone of 3-7 and a heat zone of 4-4 with partial to full sunlight.

8. It’s Safer To Interact With Less Spiky Thornless Honey Locust

The thornless honey locust native to North America has a dense spreading canopy that blocks the sun. It features pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges and no hair. Its foliage is radially symmetrical, yellow in color with a grass-like appearance.

The thornless honey locust grows to a height of 30-70 feet. It is planted using the transplant method. It likes full sunlight and is tolerant to drought and different soil PH. Thornless honey locust is a good option for soil erosion and to enhance cover stability on hillsides.

9. Get All Year-round Visual Captivation by Having the Purple Robe Locust Tree

The purple robe locust tree is a cultivar native to Central North America. It features conspicuous purple-pink flowers that develop in spring. Its flowers are wisteria-like and 8 inches long, making them a preferred decorative tree. In spring, the flowers form a banquet-like structure with grayish-red leaves. In summer, they turn blue-green and yellow during fall.

They mature at a height of 30-40 inches with a spread of 25-30 inches. The recommended spacing during planting is 25-30 inches. It is tolerant to drought but thrives in loamy solid. The purple robe locust tree is easy to plant and attend to but can be invasive.

The root suckers should be trimmed at a young age to avoid spreading. Pruning is best in winter and fall to achieve the desired appearance and shape. It is used to make fence posts and houses. They are also suitable for use as firewood due to their hard nature; they can last long.

10. Reduces the Maturity Waiting Time With Fast Growing Skycole Locust Tree

Mostly grown in larger parts of America, the Skycole locust tree. It thrives in different growing conditions and thrives in full sun. It grows to a height of 40-50 feet and spreads to 25 feet. The leaves are tiny with a mild blue color and grow to 25 centimeters. Its flowers are white with purple and pink dashes. In most cases, the flowers hang in clusters.

What is the Difference Between Honey Locust and Black Locust Trees?

There are diverse distinctions between black locusts and honey locust trees. In terms of toxicity, the honey locust is safe for consumption and makes most varieties prone to animal destruction due to its sweet taste. On the contrary, the black locust is toxic for humans and animals. Also, the pods differ as honey locusts have 12 to 14 seeds, while the black locust has four to eight pods.

The flowers are also different. The honey locust flowers are tiny and not showy, while the black locust is large and conspicuous. The honey locust leaves appear feathery and are pinnately compound, and the black locust is rounded and simply compound.

Is Honey Locust Good for Firewood?

Yes, the honey locust is an excellent source of firewood. It is easy to split and produces a few sparks as it burns. To season honey locusts for firewood purposes, it takes six to three years, depending on the variety you use. It is a great way to warm and add vibrance to your home during winter.

With the honey locust tree varieties, you have many choices based on your taste and preference. From flower colors to leaf structure through to the tree height, there is something for you. When choosing the variety, consider its best-growing conditions so it can thrive.