Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
'Shademaster' honey locust
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Gleditsia tricanthos
Sub Species:
Variety:
inermis
Forma:
Cultivar:
'Shademaster'
Characteristics:
‘Shademaster’ thornless honey locust is a rapid growing deciduous tree with an elegant, vase-like growth habit similar to that of the American elm (6,7). This plant can reach heights of 50-70ft tall and 30-50ft wide (1,6,7). The trunk can naturally be in a singular upward formation, although it is often observed dividing into several ascending codominant trunks (2,3,6,7,8). The branches of this cultivar are thornless, unlike the straight species Gleditsia triacanthos (3,6,7) The bark of the tree is a grey-brown color with horizontal lenticels. The roots are deep, fibrous, and wide spreading (2). Unlike most leguminous species, this plants roots do not form a symbiotic association with rhizobium and therefore does not possess root nodules (2). The leaves are dark green, and are bipinnately compound possessing a fern-like appearance (3,4,6,7,8). The leaves have an alternative phyllotaxy (6). The leaflets are oblong/lanceolate with a serrate leaf margin (6,7). The flowers are inconspicuous and yellow in color (6,7). This cultivar of Gleditsia triacanthos typically will not produce seed (3,4,6,7).
Compound:
Gle tri Sha
Geographic Origin:
North America
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis is one of 14 members belonging to the Gleditsia genus (6) The origin of the ‘Shademaster’ honey locust is unknown. ‘Shademaster’ is one of the few honey locust cultivars that are thornless and do not produce seed (3,4,).
Cultivation Notes:
‘Shademaster’ thornless honey locust is a popular ornamental for its hardiness, rapid growth, and low leaf-litter (1,6,7,8). This plant prefers full-sun to thrive, although it will tolerate part-shade (6,7,8). This plant is very cold hardy, thriving in USDA Zones as low as 5a (6,7). This plant requires a moderate to low watering frequency, however it is remarkably tolerant of a range of moisture conditions, withstanding both drought and flooding (6,7,8). Although honey locust is most often found on fertile soils near water sources, it has adapted to thrive in diverse growing environments (1). This plant will acclimate to a wide range of soil pH, thriving in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline substrates, and is not particular about soil texture (1,6,7,8). This plant is also tolerant of saline soils (6,8). The ‘Shademaster’ cultivar can be propagated vegetatively by cuttings, buddings, and grafting (1). This plant is fast-growing, and can gain 2-4ft in height each year during the first 15 years after planting (6,7). The trunk of a honey locust is stocky and often divided into separate shoots but it can be pruned into a single sturdy trunk depending on preference (2,3).
Ethnobotany:
‘Shademaster’ honey locust’s primary function is as a landscape ornamental, being highly valued for its rich green summer color and bright yellow color in the fall (3,4,6,7,8). This cultivar is one of the few honey locusts without thorns (3). This plant is admired for its excellent canopy coverage, being an exceptional shade tree in urban environments (6,8). Due to its high tolerance for urban pollution, this tree functions well as a street tree, as well as being suitable for installation in parking lots (6,8). In addition to being largely seed-free, this tree is a splendid addition to a residential property due to its tiny leaflets easily vanishing into grass lawns when dropped, reducing the need for raking/leaf-blowing (6,7,8).
Height:
50 - 100 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Hardy:
Water Use:
