HONEY LOCUST. But 
Genus GL EDITSIA. 
Gleditsia triacanthos. Honey Locust. Threethorn 
Acacia. Black Locust. 
Leaves evenly once or twice pinnately compound; thorns 
very stout, from two to twelve inches in length, and usually 
sending out two thorns as branches; but in some sections, 
notably in Iowa, many trees may be found without thorns, and 
these are especially desirable for windbreaks. Flowers in June, 
polygamous, greenish and. inconspicuous in small spike-like 
axillary racemes. Fruit a flat, linear, dark-colored pod, often 
twelve inches long, which becomes much twisted as the seed 
ripens. This pod contains a pulp which is sweet at first, but 
after a few weeks ferments and becomes astringent. The seed 
ripens in autumn, and the pods fall off in late autumn or early 
winter. The twisted form of the pods assists in the distribu- 
tion of the seed, as the pods do not open until some time after 
they fall, and may be rolled for long distances by the wind over 
the frozen ground or on the snow. 
Distribution.—It inhabits rich woods and borders of streams 
from western New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia west to 
southern Ontario, eastern Nebraska, Louisiana and ‘Texas. 
Propagation.—The Honey Locust is easily grown from seeds 
which should be gathered in late autumn, early winter or as soon 
as the pods fall. The seeds must be scalded in the same man- 
ner as recommended for the Common Locust, or they may re- 
main in the soil a year before growing. 
Propertics of wood.—Heavy, hard, strong and very durable in 
contact with the ground. It is coarse grained, of a red or 
bright reddish brown color, with thin, pale sapwood. Specific 
gravity 0.6740; weight of a cubic foot 42 pounds. 
Uses.—The Honey Locust is a valuable tree for street and 
ornamental planting, for timber belts, windbreaks and for 
hedges gvherever it is hardy. It has a graceful form, is a rapid 
grower, easy to transplant, very free from insect and fungous 
diseases, and not given to sprouting from the root. The wood 
is used for fence posts and rails, for the hubs of wheels and to 
some extent for construction. It also makes good fuel. This 
tree is not generally hardy in Minnesota, though it has stood very 
well in favorable locations in the southeastern portion of the 
state, and even at St. Paul has done fairly well where protected, 
