What kind of locust tree do I have?
Locust Tree Identification
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 many different types of locust trees?
8 Different Types of Locust Trees & Their Uses. Locusts are part of the pea family, Fabaceae, and can take the form of both trees and shrubs. They are all native to regions across North America, where they have since been cultivated for multiple reasons, including for use as hedging or erosion control.
What type of locust tree has thorns?
Gleditsia triacanthos
Native range. 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.
How can you tell a honey locust tree?
What is a locust tree good for?
This tree is useful but underutilized for lumber, poles, wood fiber, land reclamation, beekeeping, fuel and forage. It grows very rapidly survives droughts and severe winters, tolerates infertile and acidic soils (Miller et al. 1987), and produces livestock feed nutritionally equivalent to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
What are honey locust trees good for?
Today, the honey locust has a number of applications: its fruit is used in agriculture to feed livestock; its dense wood is used to make furniture and fences; and its unique compounds may have medicinal uses for treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
Is honey locust 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.
Are honey 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. See our 10 tips for landscaping around trees.
Do honey locust thorns have poison?
Although being scratched by the tree isn’t poisonous, because it’s only toxic if eaten, those sharp barbs can certainly hurt. A young child at eye level to a black locust tree canopy could get poked in the eye. The thorns don’t grow along the trunk, so this is mostly problematic with young trees.
How can you tell the difference between a honey locust and a black locust?
The leaves are very different. The black locust has very simple compound leaves where honey locust trees have bipinnate compound leaves. The black locust’s bark is dark in colour with grooves that resemble an intertwining rope. The honey locust’s bark is brown or grey colour and the tree has bunches of thorns.
Is black locust poisonous to humans?
Abstract. Background: The Black Locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia) tree contain toxalbumins, robin and phasin, that exert their toxic effects by inhibition of protein synthesis. Despite the potential dangers of Black Locust intoxication, reports of human toxicity after ingestion are rare.
Are honey locust trees dangerous?
Toxicity. Honey locust and carob trees are classified as nontoxic to dogs, while black locust and other Robinia species are specified as poisonous by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
How do you eliminate a locust tree?
Mix a solution of 15 percent triclopyr and diesel fuel in an herbicide tank and spray gun. Use an ax or hatchet to frill the trunk of the tree just 10 inches above the soil line. Apply this solution to the frilled part of the trunk, wetting it thoroughly.
Why do locust thorns hurt so much?
Thorns are covered with nasties. They poke into our tender flesh and come out. The nasties are wiped off inside our tender flesh=infection.
Do locust trees have deep roots?
Honey locusts have strong, deep taproots that extend as far as 20 feet down as opposed to most trees, which only extend 3 to 7 feet beneath the surface However, unlike the classic tap root system, honey locust trees also have profusely branching roots, as is characteristic of heart root systems.
How do you stop a locust tree from spreading?
One method of honey locust control and black locust control is to cut back the trees every growing season. Cut both new stems and new growth—you likely will need to repeat this step several times over the years. Spreading hay over the area could help prevent new trees from sprouting.
Are locust trees messy?
An undesirable characteristic of Gleditsia (thorny or thornless) is the mess created when the seed pods drop in fall. The development of podless types was a major breakthrough and elevated thornless honey locusts to an elite status as a non-messy tree, ideal for low-maintenance landscaping.