Description and Adaptation Honey locust is a woody, long lived, native, deciduous, legume (Fabaceae family), and is capable of obtaining 100 feet in height. The doubly compound leaves are alternate and dark green in color. Large, red thorns are often found on the branches and trunk of wild trees. The thorns typically have 3 points, but may have more, especially those on the trunk. The bark is dark gray and black with deep fissures that form large “plates” of bark on mature trees. Long, twisted seed pods form in late summer, and turn from green to dark reddish brown as they mature. The size of these podsis highly variable, and they give off a very strong, sweet aroma when they ripen and fall to the ground. Honey locust is a pioneering woody species commonly found in overgrown pastures, fields, fence lines, and wood lot edges. It has a very broad range of adaptation, and is distributed nationwide, excluding Oregon and Washington. The greatest concentration of plants can be found in the central portions of the U.S. It prefers moist, fertile, alluvial soils. It will withstand periods of drought and prolonged wetness, and is commonly found in the upland areas along river drainages. Establishment This plant is often distributed by animals which have consumed the seed and passed them through their gut. This can be imitated by scarifying the seed mechanically or by using an acid bath. Seeds soaked in hot water (85 -90oC) and allowed to cool to room temperature have also germinated well. Seed that has been treated with these methods can be planted into a well prepared seed bed or container, approximately ½ inch deep. Seedling should be strong enough for transplanting at one year of age. Root cuttings have also been successfully used for propagation. Honey Locust requires full sun, and will not tolerate shading. Management Once established, trees are generally maintenance free. Pruning of lower limbs will encourage tall, upright growth. Pests and Potential Problems Honey Locust has few significant pests. Canker can sometimes be a problem, but rarely kills the tree. This plant can become a nuisance, and will dominate a site if left unchecked or mismanaged. Honey locust can produce numerous thorns that are capable of puncturing implement tires. Though not listed as a toxic plant, contact with thorns often results in sore wounds that are slow to heal. Environmental Concerns Due to rapid growth, aggressive re-sprouting, and density of the wood, this plant has excellent potential for use as a biofuel either by direct burning of the wood or cellulosic ethanol production. Control Honey locust is intolerant of fire. Timely, periodic burning will eliminate it from open areas. Herbicides may also be used for control and suppression. Cutting young trees results in excessive re-spouting from the stump and roots, compounding the original problem exponentially. Stumps from cut trees must be treated with herbicide to prevent aggressive re- sprouts from forming dense thickets of thorny trees. USDA plant guide (click)