How many different types of locust trees?
However, even though there are more than 22 species of locust trees, the two most popular types of locust trees are Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) and Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust). But they are few more few varieties that perform particularly well in home landscapes.
How can I tell what kind of locust tree I have?
Identifying species of locust trees can be done by features such as their flowers, color of bark, height of the tree, and the thorns. Another way to identify the type of locust tree is by the shape and color of its seed pods. Locust trees grow to between 66 and 98 ft. (20 – 30 m).
How do you tell the difference between a black locust and a honey locust tree?
Honey locusts can be distinguished from Black Locusts by their longer, widespread thorns and longer seedpods. The bark of the two trees is also quite different in color and shape, and the Black Locusts flowers are large, showy white clusters, while those of the Honey Locust are creamy and insignificant.
What kind of locust tree has thorns?
honey locust
The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), also known as the thorny locust or thorny honeylocust, is a deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae, native to central North America where it is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys.
Are there male and female locust trees?
The honey locust in polygamo-dioecious, which means that the species has unisexual flowers with male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on different trees, but also some perfect flowers (both male and female parts) on each tree.
Is a locust tree a good tree?
Locust trees are excellent for erosion control and tolerate urban pollution and road salt spray well, so they are good trees to plant on graded areas and near roads and driveways. Some locusts grow quite tall, so allow enough space between trees that they will not be crowded when they reach their mature height.
How much is a locust tree worth?
Prices for these products range from $1 – $3 per linear foot for whole posts, and from $1.50 – $3.50/board foot for milled lumber, which is far above the prices for most conventional hardwood lumber.
Is there a locust tree without thorns?
All native species of the locust tree have thorns. And the honey locust has the most dangerous and biggest of the thorns. But one variation of the honey locust tree, known as Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis, grows without thorns.
How can you tell a honey locust tree?
Honeylocust Tree
- Native.
- Reaches a mature height of 80′-100′
- Open crown width of 45′-55′
- Grey bark that can have thorns 12″ long.
- Alternate bud arrangement with zigzag pattern.
- Leaves are 9″-12″ pinnately (sometimes bi-pinnately – smaller size) compound and have 20-30 leaflets that are 1.5″-2.5″ long with smooth margins.
Are locust trees messy?
Are honey locust trees messy? While honey locust trees drop both small leaflets from their compound leaves and purple seed pods, these drop around the same time in fall. The resulting mess is rather easy to clean-up, though the small leaflets are a bit difficult to manually rake.
How fast does a locust tree grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
Do all locust trees have thorns?
Except for a few thornless honey locust varieties, locust trees have fierce thorns that grow in pairs along the trunk and lower branches. Read on to find out how to grow a locust tree.
Do bees like honey locust trees?
Wildlife Uses of Honey Locust Thickets of this tree can also provide excellent wildlife cover since the thorns will help keep predators out. The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.
What are locust trees good for?
What are the different types of locust tree?
Types of Locust Trees. These two varieties are endemic to North America region and can be differentiated by the presence of thorns on barks and branches.
Is Locust a hardwood or softwood?
The black locust tree is a hardwood but it’s unique because it grows faster than most softwoods. Even though the tree grows extremely fast, it still produces tough, dense, heavy firewood. The tree grows widely throughout the southeastern United States and Europe. Black locust is easily recognized by its leaves and paired spines.
Are locust tree seeds edible?
The hard mature seeds are also edible and can be ground into a flour. So there you have it. Even this lowly Honey Locust tree, despised for its tire and shoe puncturing spines has a good practical food use for you as well as wildlife.
Do locust trees have seed pods?
The bristly locust tree is a large flowering shrub with compound leaves, pink pea-like scented flowers, and reddish-brown seed pods. Its fast-growing nature and intricate root system mean that the bristly locust shrubby tree is considered invasive in many states.