Gleditsia triacanthos

A medium–large evergreen tree with an erect but spreading and disordered canopy. In spring, the tree grows green flowers that are not very prominent without horticultural importance. Although they are not very visible, the emit a strong fragrance. After the flowering, 25–30 cm pods grow, green at first and then ripening to brown. These pods were used by Native Americans in folk medicine and to make tea. Their contents are edible and even somewhat sweet, which gave rise to the tree’s common name, the honey locust. The leaves turn an impressive yellow before falling, leaving behind just the brown pods. The tree is considered strong and resistant to the extreme weather conditions found in Israel, which explains why it can be found throughout the country except in the Aravah. The tree is also rather resistant to pests, and it is tolerant of most soil types found in Israel, except for saline soil. It is resistant to strong winds.

The tree is very suitable for planting along boulevards and provides pleasant, abundant shade. It will get along well in urban growing conditions. Its appearance is green and vital, and it appreciates auxiliary watering in summer to maintain that vitality. Its thorns are also considered to be a decorative element, and they add to the tree’s attractive appearance: the thorns grow on the branches and are rather long and hard (3–10 cm). They usually grow in dense clusters. The thorns come in green, then turn red and finally gray in their maturity.

The tree has a thornless seeding cultivar – Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis, which is grown in the nursery. This cultivar is particularly sought after.