Gleditsia triacanthos Elegantissima - Honeylocust

The Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is an alternate variety of the American Honey Locust, particularly elegant due to its large, shiny light green leaves, soft and more finely structured than those of the species. It is a deciduous small tree with a columnar habit and well-branched, sometimes from its base, gradually widening at maturity, providing pleasant shade. In summer, its honey-scented inflorescences appear, but they are very discreet, followed by fruits in long original pods, reddish-brown in color, contrasting beautifully with the golden yellow autumn foliage. Plant it isolated near a terrace or mixed with other trees and bushes in a contrasting lively hedge. 

The Gleditsia triacanthos is a tree of the fabaceae family related to the carob tree, native to the eastern and central United States (from Nebraska, through Pennsylvania to Texas). It grows rapidly, especially in moist soil. Young specimens need protection from severe cold, but an adult tree can withstand temperatures well below -15°C. Once well rooted, the American Honey Locust tolerates summer drought well. It can tolerate almost all types of soil, except those that are too acidic.

The Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is a horticultural selection that has the advantage of being thornless and having a very dense, feathery foliage. Its columnar and airy habit towards the top, with its 'drapery' vegetation, makes it an exceptional shade tree and a sought-after nesting spot for birds. It grows relatively slowly, reaching a height of about 6m (19 ft 8 in) and a spread of 4m (13 ft 1 in) at maturity. The foliage appears in late spring. The large, intensely divided leaves, with small 2cm (0.8 in) leaflets, are alternate, pinnate, and measure between 14 and 25cm (5.5 and 9.8 in). The foliage coloration, which changes from very light green in spring to golden yellow in autumn, is accompanied by a glossy texture that plays beautifully with the light, even in transparency. Often branching from the base, its trunk has a pretty dark bark with crevices, initially reddish-brown, becoming gray. This tree bears separate male and female flowers. Its discreet flowering in June-July is very honey-scented and slightly fragrant. It takes the form of elongated clusters measuring 5-10cm (2-3.9 in). The female flowers transform into pendulous pods, mahogany to reddish-brown and flattened, measuring 20 to 40cm (7.9 to 15.7 in) in length, persisting in winter, with sweet and edible pulp. This tree has a deep and taproot system, requiring a soil of good depth as well.

One may wonder why the thornless American Honey Locust and its varieties are not more commonly planted, perhaps it is due to its insignificant flowering, largely compensated by the splendor of its foliage. In summary, it is a perfect tree for isolation, in a large garden, planted near a terrace or a resting area, where it provides shade without preventing other plants from growing at its base. It is also suitable for alignment in a flower bed or in association with other trees and bushes in a hedge. Its astonishing colours catch the light, representing a true alternative to break the monotony of certain foliage, such as that of lilacs, mock oranges, cornelian cherry, once their bloom is over.

An ornamental tree and a useful plant, Gleditsia has hard and dense, reddish-brown wood, locally used for making posts, railway sleepers, and also appreciated in cabinetmaking. Its foliage, rich in proteins, is excellent fodder for livestock. This highly adaptable tree, if it thrives in rich and moist soil, even poorly drained, ultimately tolerates dry, poor, and limestone soils once it is well established.