The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: honey locust

Family: Fabaceae (pea family)

Distribution: c. and e.-c. North America

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: A native tree to Eastern North America, this plant typically grows 60-80' tall with a rounded spreading crown. Trunk and branches have stout thorns (to 3" long). Inconspicuous, greenish yellow to greenish white flowers appear in late spring. Flowers are followed by long, twisted and flattened, dark purplish-brown seedpods which mature in late summer and persist into winter. This plant is best used in forest plantings or away from driveways or lawns, due to hazards presented by thorns.