Features:
Common name: American locust, honey blackbird
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Origin: North America
Height at maturity: up to 25 meters
Hardiness: -25°C
Exposure: sunny, partial shade
Plant type: ornamental tree
Vegetation: perennial
Foliage: deciduous
Flowering: June – July
Flower color: greenish
Soil type: light, rich and well-draining
Watering: regular
Use: in the garden, isolated, bonsai
Diseases and insect pests: gall midges, small flies
Toxicity: –
Storage of seeds: 2 years in a dry place away from light at 3/4°C (refrigerator)
Description:
The American honey locust is a great ornamental tree. In Europe it reaches a maximum height of 25 meters while in its area of origin North America it easily reaches 45 meters. It is cultivated for its beautiful appearance characterized by its generous bearing and its light foliage.
Its leaves, measuring 10 to 25 centimeters long, are dark green, slightly glossy. Its flowers appear at the beginning of summer, they are small greenish flowers arranged in clusters, they are highly melliferous.
In autumn the fruits appear. They are similar to large, hanging pods that can measure up to 50 centimeters.
The term triacanthos refers to the fact that this tree is thorny and its needles are arranged in threes. The needles are located on the trunk of the tree and on the branches and measure between 5 and 10 cm.
The Honey Blackbird likes light, rich and draining soils. It nevertheless supports calcareous soils and drought, but moist soil is its preference.
This tree does not require any particular maintenance except that the young shoots are sensitive to frosts the first year. It is therefore strongly advised to mulch the soil and protect the young shoots with a winter veil.
