Green Thumb Corner

The Shademaster Honey Locust tree, Gleditsia triacanthos inermis, 'Shademaster'Honeylocust, may also be called sweet-locust or thorny-locust. This deciduous tree is a moderately fast growing tree commonly found on moist bottom lands or limestone soils. Because it has proven very hardy and tolerant of drought and salinity, it is widely planted for windbreaks and soil erosion control. It is a fast growing tree with good trunk. It has a more or less rectangular outline formed by the upright ascending branches which then spread horizontally. Excellent street and lawn tree bcause it is thornless and seedless. The dark green foliage turns yellow for great fall color. This variety has been planted to replace the elm in many urban areas. The leaves are fine textured, medium green in color and seldom need raking because of their fine texture.

The Sunburst Honeylocust tree, Gleditsia triacanthos inermis, 'Sunburst', is smaller in stature than the common Honeylocust tree. Sunburst Honeylocust trees display yellow new growth, and the yellow leaves persists throughout the season. The wood is de

The Black Locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, is sometimes called the yellow locust. Black Locust trees grow naturally on a wide range of sites but does best on rich moist limestone soils. It has escaped cultivation and become naturalized throughout eastern North America and parts of the West. Black locust is not a commercial timber species but is useful for many other purposes.This deciduous tree is a nitrogen fixer and has rapid juvenile growth. It is widely planted as an ornamental, for shelterbelts, and for land reclamation. This fast growing Locust tree is suitable for fuel wood and pulp and provides cover for wildlife, browse for deer, and cavities for birds. It is a very thorny tree which can attain a height of 70-80 feet and can have a diameter of 2-3 feet. The flowers are white, fragrant, and hang in clusters. The individual leaves are small and egg-shaped.