What they do
Provide tree structure and dappled shade that can help you build a layered, pollinator-friendly yard.
Plant profile
Honey locusts
Genus Gleditsia
Honey locusts (genus Gleditsia) are airy-canopied trees that can add light shade and seasonal flowers to yards and streetscapes while fitting into pollinator-friendly planting.
Plant Type
Trees > Honey locusts
Aliases
Honey locust
Native Range
Native to parts of North America; some honey locusts are planted widely beyond their original range.
Bloom window
Late spring to early summer (varies by species and local conditions)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Honey locusts (Genus Gleditsia) are valuable canopy trees prized for the light, airy shade they provide. This open canopy is a key functional benefit, as it allows essential sunlight to filter through, enabling a diverse understory of flowering perennials and shrubs to thrive beneath them.
Their small, seasonal flowers offer nectar and pollen for visiting native insects. To maximize their ecological value, use the tree to anchor a layered habitat, planting a variety of flowers around its base that bloom across the spring and summer to ensure continuous resources for pollinators. If planting near high-traffic areas, select a thornless, low-pod cultivar.
Best role for pollinators
Adding a tree canopy that still allows light for a pollinator garden underneath
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Honey locust |
| Bloom window | Late spring to early summer (varies by species and local conditions) |
| Typical height | Medium to large tree (varies by species and selection) |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Flies |
| Light & moisture | Sun to partial shade; adaptable once established |
| Best roles for pollinators | Adding a tree canopy that still allows light for a pollinator garden underneath |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
A suitable planting spot with room for roots and canopy, plus steady care while establishing.
One best action
Pair a honey locust with a simple underplanting of pollinator-friendly flowers to make the space do more.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Honey locusts can be a practical tree choice for creating a layered, pollinator-friendly space—especially when you add flowering plants around and beneath them.
Honey locust leaves are fine-textured, which is why the shade beneath often feels brighter than under many other trees.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Trees add structure and shelter that can make gardens more welcoming for insects and birds.
- A light canopy can help you grow a wider variety of flowering plants underneath.
- Planting a tree is a long-term step that can support a healthier, greener neighborhood.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Honey locusts can look delicate from a distance, but they’re sturdy trees. Use these clues to recognize them:
Leaves
Leaves are made of many small leaflets, giving the tree a fine, feathery look.
Flowers
Flowers are small and greenish, often in short clusters; they’re easy to overlook.
Fruits
Some honey locusts form long pods; others may have few or none depending on the plant.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open woods and edges
- River and stream corridors
- Urban and suburban plantings
Where it is often used
- Street or yard tree where you want light shade
- Canopy layer for a pollinator garden with sun-loving flowers nearby
- Shade that still allows spring bulbs and many perennials to grow
- Windbreak or boundary planting when given enough space
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Honey locust flowers are usually subtle, so think of them as a background helper rather than the main show.
Bloom Season Role: Supportive—small flowers that can complement showier blooms nearby
Seasonal benefits
- Adds seasonal variety to your garden’s bloom calendar
- Can complement nearby flowering shrubs and perennials
- Encourages you to build a layered habitat: tree + flowers + groundcover
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Best in sun, but can handle partial shade.
Soil type
Adaptable to many soils; aim for well-drained ground when possible.
Moisture needs
Water regularly during the first growing season; after that, water during long dry spells.
Planting method
Plant with enough room for the mature canopy and roots; keep the root flare at ground level.
Mulching tips
Mulch in a wide ring to protect roots and hold moisture, but keep mulch off the trunk.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a spot with room for the tree to grow without crowding buildings, fences, or overhead wires.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and wider than it.
- Set the tree so the root flare sits at ground level.
- Backfill with the original soil, firm gently, and water well.
- Add a mulch ring and keep it a hand’s width away from the trunk.
Seasonal care
- Water during dry spells, especially for young trees.
- Refresh mulch yearly, keeping it off the trunk.
- Prune lightly to remove dead or crossing branches; avoid heavy pruning all at once.
- Watch for thorns or pods if your tree has them, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Keep the area under the tree planted (or mulched) to reduce weeds and protect soil.
What not to do
- Planting a thorny type where kids play or where people walk often.
- Overwatering or planting in a spot that stays wet.
- Leaving bare soil under the tree.
- Using pesticides to “solve” minor insect issues.
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Spring bulbs (in sunny openings)
- Early-blooming native/regional woodland-edge flowers
Mid-Season Bloom
- Bee-friendly perennials that handle sun to part shade
- Flowering shrubs nearby for added bloom
Late-Season Bloom
- Late-summer and fall bloomers to extend the season
- Native/regional grasses or groundcovers for soil cover
Because honey locusts vary by species and selection, ask your local nursery about thornless and low-pod options if those features matter for your space.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see when shopping for or caring for trees:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.