Leaf Identification
The Common Thornless Honeylocust has even-pinnately compound leaves with 15 to 30 lanceolate leaflets. The leaflets are usually 1/2″ to 2″ long. The margins are crenated to serrated, and the venation is pinnate. They are a bright green and turn yellowish-gold in the fall. The leaves are sometimes bipinnately compound, but this form is much more common in younger trees.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs of the Common Thornless Honeylocust typically zig zag, are reddish- or grayish-brown, and have lighter lenticels. Even though this is a thornless variety, sometimes the twigs will develop thorns. The lateral buds are small and sunken. It has no true terminal bud.
Bark Identification
The Common Thornless Honeylocust has dark gray bark with very long, defined plates. Young trees will have smooth bark with numerous lenticels (pores).
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the Common Thornless Honeylocust are purplish-brown seed pods. They are typically 6″ to 8″ long, flat, and coiled.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Common Thornless Honeylocust are greenish-yellow and hang in 2″ to 3″ long clusters. They are racemes, or flowers on tiny pedicels (stalks) off a main upright inflorescence (flowering stem).
‘Skycole’ Identification
This is a male cultivar that has a more pyramidal shape. Since it is male, it will never produce fruit.