Gleditsia triacanthos 'SUNBURST'

Honey locust is a highly elegant tree. The species bears quite sharp spines which appear along the trunk and on thicker branches. However, garden varieties have been bred without the spines and they have different shapes and leaf colour.

Sunburst is a mid-sized tree grafted at the bottom so the whole plant is thornless. It is usually offered as a feathered tree with branches from the ground level. It can also be trained into a tree form with a thin crown in 2m height. The trunk still keeps producing buds with leaves which should be removed as they emerge. Honey locust can offer a dappled shade, yet allowing shrubs and other plants live underneath.

Fern-like, deciduous leaves of Sunburst are very attractive, up to 20 cm long, fine and textured. They emerge bright yellow, changing to light green and mid green in summer. New leaves keep coming up at the ends of branches throughout the season so the tree always has a portion of fresh, yellowish-green ends. The fragrant greenish yellow flowers hang in small, inconspicuous clusters in early summer and attract insects.

In 20 years it will not grow taller than some 5 meters. Its branches grow more or less horizontally making layers. It is soil and pollution tolerant. Prefers a sunny spot. Fully hardy to USDA zone 3b (-37°C).

Last update 08-12-2008.