Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®)
Gleditsia triacanthos
Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 35–50 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Wrap young trees.
low to medium water40–50 ft tall and 35–50 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 3: no rights reserved
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Tolerates
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–50 ft tall and 35–50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Spreading
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & DiseasesMain pressure here is Honeylocust plant bug and pod gall midge, so keep it vigorous with steady water and a well-chosen site.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Honeylocust plant bug and pod gall midge
- Mimosa webworm
- Thyronectria/Nectria canker
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) get?
- It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 35–50 ft wide.
- How much room does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) need?
- Give Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) about 50 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) grow into?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) typically grows into a wide, spreading habit, broader than it is tall, give it room and keep it back from buildings. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) hardy on the Front Range?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) grow?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) live?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) turn in fall?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) deer-resistant?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) a good firewise plant near the house?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) can be affected by honeylocust plant bug and pod gall midge and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
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See also
- Low-water trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants for the Front Range
- Fast-growing shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best fall color trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best pollinator trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
