The locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) should be planted as a relatively large tree in a solitary position. Even the small species are not suitable for hedges, as they usually grow with one shoot and branching can hardly be stimulated by a cut.
The locust should not be cut in the spring
In this country, the glacial locust rarely grows larger than 10-15 meters, while in its homeland it can reach heights of up to 30 meters. The German name for the honey locust is leather sleeve tree, as it bears strikingly large, hanging legumes that are edible. Gleditsia triacanthos forms thorns about 15 cm long on its trunk and on the older branches or whole tufts of thorns. These can easily be cut off without damaging the tree.
How and when can the locust be pruned?
The honey locust are quite fast-growing as young trees, up to about 1 meter a year, later more slowly. As a park or street tree, this is desirable. There they are usually cut pyramidally. If you want to keep the locust a little more compact in growth, you should cut the pyramid a little more bluntly at the top so that the tree no longer grows as much upwards and instead becomes wider. The shoots below the branch can be broken off. New shoots can develop from this, which serve for further branching.
It should not be pruned in spring when the sap is rising, as the tree then tends to bleed profusely. If necessary, a light pruning can be done during the summer. A stronger pruning may only be carried out in the leafless period when the plant is dormant. The cutting measures should be completed by the end of March. It is recommended to spread the larger cuts with a wound sealant.
tips
There are also small varieties of glacial locust, such as Elegantissima or Globosa, which do not exceed a height of 4-6 meters and are therefore also suitable for smaller home gardens.