Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
NEMBA category
English: Honey Locust, Sweet Locust, Honeyshuck
Afrikaans: Soetpeulboom, Driedoringboom, Springkaanboom
S. Sotho: leoka
Gleditsia triacanthos, commonly known as the Honey Locust, is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 20-30 meters tall. It is easily identified by its distinctive branched thorns that grow up to 20 cm long on the trunk and branches, and its long, flat, twisted dark brown seed pods that can reach 30-40 cm in length. The tree has delicate, feathery compound leaves that create dappled shade, and produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in spring.
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Origins: Central and Eastern North America
Overall Appearance: A deciduous, thorny tree with a spreading crown growing from 15-30 meters tall
Leaves: Pinnately compound leaves, consisting of numerous small, oval-shaped leaflets.
Thorns: Distinctive branched thorns that grow up to 20 cm long on the trunk and branches
Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters in spring.
Fruits: Long, flat, twisted, brown seed pods.
Seeds: Numerous, small, brown seeds within the pods.
Bark: Dark brown to grey-brown, deeply furrowed bark.
Wood: Hard, heavy, and durable.
Soil Type: Tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade.
Edible Parts: The sweet pulp surrounding the seeds in the pods can be eaten.
Uses:
Ornamental tree (though not recommended due to its invasive nature).
Timber production.
Honey production (from the nectar of its flowers).
Birds Attracted: Some birds may feed on the seeds or use the tree for nesting.
Insects Attracted: Bees and other pollinators may visit the flowers.
Mammals Attracted: Some mammals may feed on the pods.
Provinces Affected: Widespread in South Africa, particularly in riparian zones and disturbed areas.
Note: Honey Locust is a highly invasive species in South Africa. It forms dense thickets that displace native vegetation, alter water flow, and reduce biodiversity. Its strong root system can damage infrastructure and its thorny branches can injure livestock.
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