Gleditsia macracantha
Common name: 
Large Spined Honeylocust
Pronunciation: 
gle-DITS-ee-a mac-ra-KAN-tha
Family: 
Fabaceae
Genus: 
Gleditsia
Synonyms: 
Gleditsia sinensis
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous tree, to 15 m, with large spines (thorns).  Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, leaf size variable, with 6-12 leaflets that are usually ovate-oblong, smooth above except for pubescence on the midrib, densely pubescent below.  Flowers in pubescent clusters.  Fruit (pod) long, 15-30 cm, 2.5-3.5 wide, slightly convex.
  • Sun.  Adapts to most soil, but poor in heavy clay soils; drought tolerant.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 6    Native to central China.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • trunk, bark and thorns

    trunk, bark and thorns