Gleditsia Triacanthos Skyline Honey Locust

Gleditsia triacanthos Skyline or Honey Locust Skyline
Gleditsia triacanthos Skyline is a variety of Gleditsia Triacanthos or Honey Locust. The Skyline cultivar is unique because its crown has an upright top and pyramidal habit. It grows tall and dense quickly reaching a height of 15 meters. It makes a wonderful street tree or avenue because the lower branches can be removed without deforming the tree’s appearance in any way. The crown still looks full and provides ample shade.

During the spring months, inconspicuous white and yellow flower racemes appear. Following flowering, reddish purple seed pods might develop. The seed pods are flat and measure 45 centimeters in length. Each pod can contain several seeds and a thick, gummy like substance. This cultivar typically does not have very many seedpods and in some cases may develop no seedpods. Unlike other species of Honey Locust trees, Gleditsia triacanthos Skyline has no thorns. The foliage is unusual because some of the leaves are bipinnately compound and others are pinnately compound which gives them a fernlike appearance. The leaves appear in the spring later than other deciduous trees which helps protect them from any unexpected late-season frosts. Newly emerging leaves are a bright yellow hue and as the leaves mature they turn a subtle green.  During the autumn, the  leaves transform into a bright yellow colour with tinges of orange before falling from the tree.

Plant the Gleditsia triacanthos Skyline tree in full sun or partial shade for optimum growth. It will tolerate a wide range of soils and often thrives where other tree species fail. In coastal regions, the tree can endure frequent salt spray and will grow in sandy soil. After planting, keep the soil evenly moist to encourage ample root growth. Once established, the tree is very water thrifty and does not require much to survive. It can also live through seasons that suffer from bouts of drought.

The tree requires no pruning but you can trim it to maintain its size and shape. Trimming is also beneficial to remove any damaged limbs. Prune the tree in the late winter before spring for best results.

Honey Locust Skyline is an excellent shade tree. Unlike many trees, grass grows well under the tree's canopy which makes it a wonderful landscape tree choice.