Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. branches with green leaves and thorns

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. flowering trees in the park

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. branch with leaves and buds

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. branch with flowers

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. flowering plant

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. flowers close up

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. the seeds are ready. Autumn

Sweet bean locust – description, flowering period and general distribution in Vermont. tall and beautiful tree in the valley

Common name:

Sweet bean locust

Scientific name:

Gleditsia triacanthos.

Other common name(s):

Honey locust, Honey shucks locust, Common honeylocust, Sweet bean locust.

Life form:

Tree.

Flowering time:

10 - 12 days.

Flowering period

in Vermont for this plant is: Early May ↔ Late June.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:
200 - 250 kilograms per ha

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:
Minor

General distribution:

The natural range of honeylocust extends from central Pennsylvania through extreme southern Ontario, extreme southern Michigan, southern Wisconsin, and extreme southeastern Minnesota to extreme southeastern South Dakota; south through eastern Nebraska to eastern Texas; east to Alabama; and northeast along the western slopes of the Appalachians. Isolated populations occur in northwestern Florida. Honeylocust is naturalized east of the Appalachians as far north as Nova Scotia.

Map of distribution and habitat in USA

This plant is present in at least 48 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

Honeylocust is a native, deciduous tree. Mature heights usually range from 49 to 98 feet (15-30 m), with a maximum height of 140 feet (43 m). In natural stands, honeylocust averages 70 to 80 feet (21-24 m) in height. Honeylocust is armed with heavy branched thorns on the lower branches and trunk. The crown is plumelike and open. The bole is usually short and often divided near the ground. The bark of mature trunks is usually 0.25 to 0.75 inches (0.6-3.5 cm) thick with narrow ridges divided by fissures. The bark peels in strips. The thick, fibrous roots are deep and wide-spreading. The tree is sturdy and windfirm. The fruit is a legume 8 to 16 inches (15-40 cm) long and 1 to 1.4 inches (2.5-3.5 cm) wide.
Honeylocust is usually described as rapid-growing. The average longevity for honeylocust is 125 years.
Unlike most leguminous species, honeylocust does not form Rhizobium nodules on its roots and does not fix nitrogen.

Seasonal development:

Honeylocust begins to flower when its leaves are nearly full-grown, from around May 10 in the southern parts of its range to around June 25 in the northern parts of its range. The legumes ripen from September to October, usually falling after ripening but sometimes remaining on the tree through February.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in Vermont

See the entire list