Gleditsia triacanthos
Common names: Honeylocust, and
Thorntree
Jonathan Norris and Arthur Kahn
10th Grade, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens-Clarke County Georgia
The picture of the tree was found at a website below
Higher taxa:
Division: Spermatophyta
Subdivision: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Magnoliidae (Dicots)
Superorder: Fabiflorae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae (Legumes)
Main Features: Leaves, Fruit, and, Thorns
Ecology:
Distribution:
The honey locust is common in the midwestern and south central US on
floodplains and in limestone soils. It is native to southern, eastern and central Iowa and is widely planted
throughout the state. Agriculture has created an ideal habitat in Iowa where this tree has become a pasture and
fencerow weed.
Habitat:
Although intolerant of shade, the honey locust is extremely adaptable and tolerant of drought,
high pH and saline conditions. Diseases and pest infestations have dramatically increased in areas where continuous
plantings of this tree occur, with mimosa webworm, borers and several fungal cankers becoming the primary problems.
Leaf spot, witches' broom, powdery mildew, rust, midge pod gall and spider mite are also reported.
Uses:
Wood:
The reddish-brown wood is hard, strong, heavy, shock resistant and durable. It is used for fence posts,
railroad ties and fuel.
Wildlife:
The name "honey locust" comes from the sweet, honey-like pulp inside the pods, which is eagerly eaten
by grazing cattle, dispersing the seeds in the process. White-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels and quail also eat the pulp
of the pods.
References: