Native to North America, and in the United States found in virtually all states. A common landscape tree that easily escapes cultivation to become an invasive plant along roadsides and in undisturbed areas.
A perennial tree that reproduces from seeds. Trees are very tolerant of compacted, dry soils. Roots running laterally in shallow soil will produce numerous sprouts, and seed production is heavy, with numerous seedlings produced in the areas surrounding the parent tree.
Mature trees may be as tall as 90 feet or more. Leaves are pinnately compound, with from 6 to 20 oval leaflets per leaf and a single terminal leaflet. This species differs from Honey Locust by the reduced number of leaflets, their larger size, and the terminal leaflet. Stems are armed with stout, opposing spines. Flowers are in elongate, drooping clusters, and the seed pods are dark and hold 2 to 10 seeds.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Physical removal of the tree will be required, along with treatment of the stump with a registered herbicide, and follow-up treatments of new sprouts and seedlings with a systemic herbicide.