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Woody > Gleditsia > Gleditsia triacanthos > Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Shademaster'

Gleditsia triacanthos

var. inermis 'Shademaster'


Shademaster Thornless Honey Locust




            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

A common tree that because of its tolerance to urban conditions is in my opinion often over-planted. Poor autumn colour, little winter interest, it's only attribute is providing dappled shade.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Gleditsia
Species
triacanthos
Cultivar
'Shademaster'
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Variety
inermis
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 7
Canadian Hardiness Zone
4a-6b
Temperature (°C)
-20C to -33C
Temperature (°F)
-3F to -27F
Height
15-20 m
Spread
12-16 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
Has a wide thin spread crown, zig-zag shoot growth pattern, slightly gnarly branching structure.
Cultivation
It grows strongly in well drained soils with a high pH, but it is also a very adaptable tree and will grow in less than perfect conditions. It requires full sun.
Shape
Vase shape, later at maturity it will develop a more oval shape.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
Small distinctive pinnate and bi-pinnate oval leaves, thin crown density, it has a long winter dormancy period, the cultivar ‘Shademaster’ has darker green leaves, than the species.
Pests
Susceptible to mimosa webworm, powdery mildew, aphid infestations and spider-mites which will cause yellowing of the leaves. Reddish galls at the branch tips can be problematic.
Habitat
The species is native to the floodplains of eastern and southern United States.
Bark/Stem Description
The bark is smooth grey-olive in colour and heavily lentisiled when it is young, It has a grey plate like bark with deep fissures in its mature stages.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Small brownish lateral buds 1.5cm long, some are scaly and some are naked.
Leaf Description
Small rounded base with an entire margin, no longer than 5cm, foliage often occurs in both pinnate and bi-pinnate forms on the same tree.
Flower Description
Flower has a pleasant fragrance, not very aesthetically pleasing, flower is yellow-green in colour and formed in clustered, 4-5cm long racemes.
Fruit Description
Very rarely produces fruit, if at all. If it does produce, the fruit is a long; dark brown pod 20-45cm in length. They are 2-3cm wide and usually from a twisted shape.
Colour Description
Dark green foliage which turns to yellow in early autumn, gray-olive bark colour and a yellow-green flower.
Texture Description
Leaves have a smooth finish, the bark is smooth on new shoot growth but quickly becomes deeply fissured and rough to the touch.
Notable Specimens
Victoria Park, London, Ontario.
Propagation
Scarify seeds and sow directly outdoors in autumn, bud grafting is often used for clonally propagated plants.
References
Generally available in many areas within its hardiness zone.
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