Species imperial honey locust
Green leaves with green stems and light-gray branches

imperial honey locust

Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Harve' NORTHERN ACCLAIM

The Imperial Honey Locust is simply fantastic. It is a beautiful deciduous tree with lovely, delicate foliage that is a delight to any garden or landscape. Its showy sweet-scented clusters of creamy white flowers fill the air with a pleasant aroma in the summer. The attractive bark is quite noteworthy too - it ranges from a whitish gray color to warm tones of ochre, orange and brown. The seed pods that grow on the tree are pods that contain a sweet, edible pulp that can be eaten, just like honey. This tree is also incredibly low maintenance and easy to care for. It is drought tolerant and requires little to no pruning, making it an ideal choice for homes in all parts of the United States. The Imperial Honey Locust is a truly magnificent addition to any outdoor space!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Greenish yellow to greenish white Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

green,brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water the Imperial Honey Locust deeply at least once a week during warm months, and occasionally during cooler months. Soak the soil around the tree slowly, ensuring water penetrates down to the root system. During the hot summer months, make sure to increase water frequency as needed – especially if it is dry and hot out. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings so it isn’t constantly wet or soggy.

sunlight

Imperial Honey Locust requires moderate amounts of sunlight, ideally about 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It will tolerate partial shade for approximately 2-4 hours a day but will naturally be in full sun during the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest. This species does best when planted in a location that will receive full afternoon and morning sun, which will provide the right balance of sunlight that it needs for long-term success.

pruning

Imperial honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Harve' NORTHERN ACCLAIM) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning should be limited to removing dead or diseased branches and any crossing branches that could rub together. Hard pruning is not necessary and can damage the tree, so only light pruning should be used. Pruning should also be used to open up the canopy or create a more pleasing shape.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Harve' NORTHERN ACCLAIM typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

The Imperial Honey Locust typically starts flowering in late April or early May.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Harve' NORTHERN ACCLAIM typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map