THE HONEY LOCUST 



THOUGH very generally planted as a shade and ornamental tree, the Honey 

 Locust is indigenous to a region bounded by Alabama and Pennsylvania on the 

 east, Michigan and Minnesota on the north, Kansas and Nebraska on the west, 

 and Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama on the south. In this great area the tree grows 

 chiefly near the rivers, generally singly, though occasionally in groves of considerable 

 extent. Along the Atlantic coast the extensive introduction of the species has led it to 

 become naturalized in many places. 



By several distinctive characters you may know the Honey Locust. The surest 

 sign at any season is found in the great compound thorns which stud the bark of the twigs, 

 branches and even the trunk. None of our other trees have such formidable weapons of 

 defence. Through the summer the doubly compound leaves are also distinctive, while 

 in early autumn the great fruit-pods are unmistakable. 



When growing in its favorite position in a rich intervale this tree assumes a broadly 

 open form, more or less flattened at the top. In such situations it may reach a height of 

 more than a hundred feet and a trunk diameter of four or five feet. The outer bark is 

 grayish black, hard in texture, with vertical furrows more or less numerous, the bark 

 between the furrows being somewhat scaly. On younger trees the bark is smooth and 

 beautiful and of a dark gray color. 



The greenish blossoms come out with the young leaves in June in small racemes, 

 the pollen-bearing and the pistil-bearing flowers being generally on different trees, or 

 different branches of the same tree. The great seed-pods begin to fall early in autumn. 

 They are flattened and sometimes reach a length of eighteen inches with a width of from 

 one to one and a half inches. The general color is a dull leathery brown with more or less 

 of a reddish tone. The chocolate-brown seeds are usually numerous; they are arranged 

 in indistinct cells in the upper half of the pod, the lower third of which has between the 

 two walls a curious juicy, greenish-yellow pulp, rather sweet in taste. 



The Honey Locust is valuable as an ornamental tree for many reasons. It is hardy, 

 free from disease, easily propagated, and a rapid grower. The objectionable thorns are 

 now obviated in a thornless variety offered by nurserymen. 



(20Q) 



