Street Keeper Honey Locust

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Draves’

Description:
A thornless and columnar cultivar of a tough urban tree. The compound leaves on this tree are made up of tiny leaflets. This fern-like foliage turns an attractive golden yellow in the fall. The upright form of this cultivar allows it to fit into more urban spaces than the species. 

Power Line Approved: No

Min. street tree planting width: 8 feet

Mature Height: 50 feet

Mature Spread: 20 feet

Tree Shape: Columnar 

Where to Plant: 
Great tree where lighter shade is desired or a planting strip without overhead high voltage wires.

Leaves:
Compound or doubly compound leaves (one leaf made up of many leaflets) are a medium green that turn a beautiful golden-yellow in the fall.

Flowers:
Inconspicuous greenish white flowers in late spring.

Fruit:
A flattened seedpod like a legume, although this tree is mostly seedless.

Preferred Site Conditions:
Full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and urban conditions..

Potential Problems:
Mostly insect and disease resistant. Can be susceptible to the honey locust pod gall midge, although it is not detrimental.

Minimum Planting Distances:

  • 3 ½ feet back from the face of the curb
  • 5 feet from underground utility lines
  • 10 feet from power poles
  • 7 ½ feet from driveways (10 feet recommended)
  • 20 feet from street lights and other existing trees
  • 30 feet from street intersections

Additional Resources