HONEY LOCUST 



of Robinia pseudacacia, the common Locust, are developed 

 from the most innocent-looking stipules, and always remain 

 attached to the bark. But the spines of the Honey Locust 

 have their origin in a spine bud which forms usually an inch 

 above the axil of the leaf in which the normal buds are 

 formed. These buds also form on the trunk or, formed 

 when the stem was young, remain dormant on the trunk un- 

 til stimulated into life by some means, when they push 

 through the thick bark and develop as spines. They are in 

 fact undeveloped branches, branches that have failed of their 

 normal growth of leaf and bud and flower and have become 

 simply spines, aggressive, offensive, maybe defensive spines. 



All deciduous trees produce upon occasion or hold in reserve 

 adventitious buds. The sprouts that force their way through 

 the thick bark of stumps after the trunk has been cut down 

 are produced by adventitious buds, long dormant but now 

 stimulated to unusual growth. The waving twigs that 

 feather the trunk of many an elm tree have the same genesis. 



The Honey Locust frequently becomes a picturesque tree, 

 the trunk becomes twisted and the branches extend horizon- 

 tally. The leaves appear late in the spring and fall early in 

 autumn, which is always an objection to an ornamental 

 tree. Unlike the Locust its flowers are inconspicuous. 

 The long, flat, pendulous pods, hang in clusters from the 

 branches, and the sweet pulp that surrounds the seed gives 

 the tree its common name. These pods contract in drying 

 and so twist and curl that they are easily rolled by the wind 

 some distance from the parent tree. Nature, like a careful 

 mother, has many devices to aid her children, and when she 

 does not give her seeds wings to soar with the wind, or 

 prickles to cling to the passer-by, she sometimes provides in 

 the seed vessel a means by which at least it may roll itself 

 into a home of its own. 



The Honey Locust has many qualities to recommend it as 

 an ornamental tree. It grows rapidly, is tolerant of many 

 soils, is hardy and very free from insects' attacks. It can 

 flourish under the adverse conditions of city life and is often 



IIS 



