honey locust growth rate

Growth Rate This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

What is the lifespan of a honey locust tree?

Growth is rapid and trees live to a maximum of about 125 years. The only serious disease of honey-locust is a canker, which is occasionally fatal, but trees in landscape plantings may be damaged by a number of pests and pathogens.

Is honey locust A good tree?

But don't be afraid of its anti-social attitude, for the honey locust is a very pretty and useful tree that is commonly planted as an ornamental. ... The honey locust is a very fast grower, and commonly reaches heights of around 70 to 100 feet.

Are honey locust trees invasive?

The common honey locust, or thorny locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), of North America is a popular ornamental plant, though it is an aggressive invasive species in some areas outside its native range. The tree grows to about 40 metres (about 130 feet) high but is generally lower under cultivation.

How fast does black locust grow?

In its native range, black locust grows rapidly following disturbances such as logging or mining. In regenerating hardwood forests in North Carolina, black locust seedlings grew 26 feet (8 m) in 3 years. They grew faster than any other species for 10 to 20 years [24].

How can you tell a honey locust?

Honey locust tree leaves

The leaves on honey locust trees appear slightly earlier than on black locust trees. One way to tell honey locusts apart from black locust trees is that the leaves have no leaflet at the tip. Also, honey locust tree leaves tend to be a lighter shade of green than the “black” variety.

How can you tell a black locust from a honey locust?

Bark and Thorns: The black locust tree has bark of a dark color with a pattern of furrows that look like rope that's intertwined. Honey locust trees, on the other hand, can have brown or gray bark, and you'll see clusters of red-brown thorns among the branches or single thorns lining each stem.

What is the lifespan of a locust tree?

The honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–98 ft). They exhibit fast growth, but live a medium-long life span of about 120 years. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees.

Are honey locust fast growing?

This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Are locust tree roots invasive?

Like many other trees with invasive roots, honey locust suckers grow freely from roots, sending up potential new trees that must be dealt with. Those roots can also pose problems with underground pipes.

Is a honey locust tree poisonous?

Honey Locust has few significant pests. Canker can sometimes be a problem, but rarely kills the tree. ... 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.

What kills honey locust trees?

Option #1: Cut all the honeylocust root suckers at the base and apply a small amount of systemic herbicide, such as Picloram (Pathway or Tordon RTU). Picloram only works on freshly cut stumps.

Can you eat honey locust pods?

All honey locust trees are not created equal. Some drop big fat pods, that have small seeds, or vice versa. The green pods in the summer have green peas that can be eaten raw or cooked, and taste like peas. The brown seedpod in fall has sweet pulp that tastes like banana liquor.

Are locust trees worth money?

Black Locust wood contains natural organic compounds that resist rot for 100 years or more, which makes these trees an extremely valuable and environmentally friendly tree. It is the perfect wood for fence and deck posts.

Are locust trees bad?

The nutritional value of the leaves is similar to alfalfa, making it a valuable feed for ruminant livestock. Some sources claim excessive consumption can lead to toxicity, but many farmers have found their animals naturally limit their intake.

How do you kill black locusts?

Black locust stems can be cut at the base with brush-cutters, chainsaws or hand tools, followed by treating the stump with a 20-percent solution of Roundup. While the Roundup label recommends a 50- to 100-percent concentration of herbicide for stump treatment, a 20-percent concentration has proven effective.

How fast does a Skyline Honey Locust grow?

They are rapidly growing trees that can grow up to 24 inches (61 cm.) per year and attain a height and spread of about 30-70 feet (9-21 m.).

Is honey locust nitrogen fixing?

Honeylocust is a member of the leguminous family, but lacks the root nodules where bacteria symbiotically fix atmospheric nitrogen. ... Recent research at Yale University in the USA suggests that honeylocust does fix nitrogen directly in its roots without the formation of nodules.

Do honey locust trees bloom?

Honeylocust blooms appear on the tree between May and June, clustered on racemes. The small blooms of the thornless honeylocust are yellow, greenish yellow or greenish white and are not terribly showy. ... Blooms give way to large seed pods which can grow up to 12 inches long or more, but are usually between 6 and 12.

Do locust trees make good fence posts?

Black locust makes great fence posts. ... Locust Split Rail Fence posts are made from the very hard, strong and heavy wood of the Black Locust tree. Locust wood was first used by the early Appalachian settlers. Locust makes an ideal species for fencing that will withstand the test of time for many years to come.

Is black locust edible?

Although the bark and leaves are toxic, various reports suggest that the seeds and the young pods of the black locust are edible. Shelled seeds are safe to harvest from summer through fall, and are edible both raw and/or boiled.