SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gleditsia triacanthos inermis

COMMON NAME: thornless honeylocust

LEAVES: Alternate. Bi and single pinnately compound. Leaflet is entire and may have a small notch at the end.

FRUIT: 3 - 6" bean pod that has a honey-like sap around the seeds.

BARK: Smooth.

OTHER: Very fine textured tree (may grow grass under it). Makes a good city tree. Transplants easily but may get locust borer. Grows 50' to 60' tall. Drops its leaves early in the south due to heat. There are many cultivars of the variety inermis. The straight species is native. A member of the Fabaceae family. Tolerant of high pH. Tennessee north is where this tree should be used.

CULTIVARS: 'Green Glory' (fruitless and averages 3'/yr. growth), 'Halka', 'Imperial' (fruitless and averages 2'/yr. in growth), 'Shademaster' (fruitless and averages 2'/yr. in growth), 'Skyline' (fruitless and averages 3'/yr. in growth), 'Summer Lace' (growth 2.7'/yr. and fruitless), 'Sunburst' (2.3'/yr. growth, fruitless, and new growth is yellow), 'True Shade' (fruitless and 2'/yr. growth).