Tree Talk: Honeylocust - A sweet tree

If you are looking for something a little different to grace the landscape of your yard, consider planting a honeylocust tree–specifically, 'Northern Acclaim' thornless honeylocust. While the species is native to eastern states of the U.S. and is covered with thorns, 'Northern Acclaim' is a cultivar selected and developed by the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program. As the descriptive name implies, this selection does not have thorns and is proven to be hardy for our harsh winters. The tree's most distinctive feature is its delicate bright green foliage. Each leaf is composed of tiny leaflets, giving the tree an exotic look and a canopy that allows dappled sunlight to pass through the crown during the summer months. Fall color is golden yellow. This plant is a member of the pea family and in native stands, female trees produce large pods which fall from the tree and can be messy. It is the sweet pulp inside the pods which gives the tree its name - honeylocust. 'Northern Acclaim' is a male selection, so it does not produce pods. On a good site, the tree will grow 40-to-50 feet tall with a crown spread of 30 to 35 feet. The wood is very hard, with high value for firewood.

'Northern Acclaim' was released by NDSU in 2001 and is widely available in the nursery industry. Remember, the specific cultivar is important – while there are other types of thornless honeylocust available, 'Northern Acclaim' is the one best suited for North Dakota winters. It is commonly used for plantings in urban retail parking lots – take a look the next time you are in Bismarck or Fargo. While you are shopping at Kohl's, you may find a parking spot in a bit of shade beneath a thornless honeylocust tree.

Take a Look: See 'Northern Acclaim' honeylocust planted on the 200 block of 2nd Ave South. Note the fern-looking compound leaves. Each leaf is made of multiple tiny leaflets. No thorns and no fruit (pods) since this is a male selection of the species.

REMINDER: WATER your trees, especially young trees and those that are recently planted. Small trees need about five gallons of water, twice a week. Large trees should be watered beneath the entire canopy, with a slow-flowing hose. Water early in the morning or in the evening, as this is when trees replace the water they've lost during the day and less water is lost to evaporation. Add mulch to lower soil temperatures, reduce water evaporation, and keep mowers and weed trimmers away from the trunks.