Honey locust 'Sunburst' Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst'
ABOUT
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' is an ornamental tree often cultivated for its beautiful foliage. This tree has a dense, upright oval-shaped canopy with a crown spread of 10-20 feet. It typically grows to a height of 30-50 feet when mature.
It has a gray-brown bark that remains smooth for the most part, with the occasional raised bump. The leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are golden-yellow in spring and early summer, becoming greener in summer, and turning a brilliant yellow in the fall. The leaflets are arranged in well-defined, evenly-spaced arrays of 12-19 leaflets per leaflets. Each leaflet is ovate to lanceolate in shape, reaching 1 to 2 inches in length and has a smooth margin.
The flowers of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' bloom in clusters of 2-5 in the early summer and are rather small, only about 1/4 inch in diameter. They are a pale yellow-green color and have no petals, but dozens of narrow stamens.
Finally, the fruits of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are flattened legumes, shaped like a kidney bean, that turn from green to brownish-red as they mature. Each legume is 4-6 inches long and contains many small, flat, black seeds inside.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Leguminosae
Synonyms
Thorny locust 'Sunburst', Thorny honeylocust 'Sunburst'
Common names
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Inermis Aurea'
ToxicityTo humans
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' is not considered to be toxic to humans.
There are no known cases of this plant causing any adverse effects when ingested. However, the plant does have sharp thorns when mature, which have the potential to cause minor skin irritation if contact is made.To pets
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' is not known to be toxic to animals when ingested.
However, contact with the thorns of the plant can cause injury, and the leaves and twigs may cause dermatitis in some people. Symptoms of dermatitis may include redness, itching, and swelling on the skin where it touched the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green in summer; green in spring and fall
Flower color
Green
Height
Up to 50 feet
Spread
Up to 20 feet
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Central North America
Benefits
General BenefitsOrnamental Appeal: The Sunburst Gleditsia triacanthos is a visually stunning plant, with finely cut, golden foliage that catches the light and adds elegance to any landscape.
Adaptable: The Sunburst Gleditsia triacanthos is highly adaptable to a variety of climates and soil conditions, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of landscapes.
Fast Growing: The Sunburst Gleditsia triacanthos is a fast-growing plant, reaching heights of up to 30 feet in just a few years.
Attractive Thorns: Despite its thorns, the Sunburst Gleditsia triacanthos provides a distinct visual effect, making it a great choice for fences, hedges, and other areas of the landscape.
Resistant to Pests and Diseases: This plant is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a reliable and worry-free choice for any landscape.
Drought Tolerant: The Sunburst Gleditsia triacanthos is very drought tolerant, making it an ideal choice for climates with severe summer droughts.
Long Lifespan: This plant is capable of living for up to two hundred years, making it a great choice for creating a long-lasting landscape feature.
Medical PropertiesPreliminary studies suggest that Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' may have anti-inflammatory effects. A study showed that the plant extract reduced the acute inflammation in rats.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' may have potential as a digestive aid. A clinical trial suggested that taking a 150-mg extract of the plant twice daily improved symptoms of constipation, reducing abdominal pain and the time needed to pass stool.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' may have antiviral activity. Test-tube studies have found that an aqueous extract of the plant prevented the replication of herpes simplex virus-1 and Coxsackie nonpolio virus B3.
A study on rabbits suggested that Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' may help manage migraine headaches. This was attributed to its ability to reduce serotonin levels and lead to a decrease in intracranial pressure.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' may help reduce high cholesterol levels. A study on rats found that supplementing with a 500-mg/kg dose of plant extract for 50 days caused decreases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Air-purifying QualitiesGleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' is known for its air purifying qualities, as its large, bright yellow leaves work to absorb airborne pollutants.
The wide-reaching foliage of the 'Sunburst' helps to filter out the dust, pollen, and other allergens, while also releasing oxygen into the environment. Additionally, the 'Sunburst' is an effective carbon dioxide filter and can reduce the amount of carbon in the surrounding air.
Other UsesPrivacy Screen: The dense foliage of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' makes it an ideal plant for providing privacy in the garden.
Bird Sanctuary: The large thorns of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' provide a safe nesting and roosting habitat for birds.
Bonsai Plant: Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' is suitable for bonsai as it responds well to trimming and pruning.
Shade Tree: The large leaves and spread of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' make it a valuable shade-tree that can protect gardens from strong sunshine.
Hiding Spot for Wildlife: The dense foliage and thorny cover of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' provides a safe place for wildlife, such as rabbits and deer, to hide from predators.
Pollinator Plant: The white flowers produced by Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' make it an attractive nectar source for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
Windbreak: Due to its dense foliage, Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' can provide wind protection with its strong root system.
Interesting Facts
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityLEO
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' fits best with the sign of Leo, because it is associated with strength, vitality, generosity, and ambition.
The bright sun-soaked colors of its foliage symbolize optimism and confidence, traits that are closely connected to Leo's magnetic personality. Additionally, the prickly thorns on the tree add an element of protection and stability, both of which are important qualities of the lion-ruled sign.
Plant SymbolismIn terms of symbolism, this tree holds many possibilities. Its bright yellow-orange fall foliage could symbolize the beauty of the autumn season, a time when nature transitions from vibrant warmth to a peaceful, dormant winter.
It could also be seen to represent the joy that comes from recognizing and appreciating the small details in life. As the tree stands in resplendent color at a time of year that is often regarded as gloomy, it might be said to symbolize the possibility of beauty even amid darker times in life.
WaterGleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' needs to be watered regularly throughout its growing season. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, the plant should be watered around once a week, as long as the soil feels dry.
It is best to water the plant thoroughly, so that the water penetrates to the root system. In the colder winter months, the plant may need to be watered less often, as it is not actively growing. It should be watered when the soil is dry, but not so frequently that the roots get waterlogged.
LightThe best light conditions for Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are full sun, at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
The best spot for the plant would be in an area of your garden that gets full, direct sunlight throughout the day, such as an area with no trees or buildings blocking the sun, or an area that is unshaded by trees, with no buildings impacting the sun's rays.
TemperatureThe best lighting conditions for Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are full sun in the summer and filtered or dappled shade in the winter.
Ideal summer temperature conditions should range between 65-85°F, while ideal winter temperature conditions should range between 40-60°F.
PruningGleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' should be pruned annually in late winter before new growth begins. Prune the plant to retain or create a desired shape or to control its size. Dead or diseased branches should be removed and any branches that cross or rub together also need to be pruned. Cut back the outer branches to 2–3 buds beyond the desired shape or size of the plant, making sure to cut each branch back to a leaf bud or a lateral branch. It is important to avoid pruning too harshly as it can damage the plant.
SoilIn order to create the best soil mix for Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst', mix equal parts of peat moss, compost, and perlite. The mix should have a soil pH between 6 and 7.5 in order to best sustain the growth of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst'.
Humidity & MistingThe best humidity conditions for Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are between 40–50%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not growing
Outdoor
All year round
Hardiness zone
USDA 6 - 12
Life cycleGleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' begins its life cycle as a seed that can germinate in the spring or fall.
Once the seed has germinated, it develops into a seedling that grows a few inches tall during the first year.
During the second year of its life, Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' grows into a young tree that can reach up to 6 feet in height.
As it continues to grow, it enters the mature tree stage, which typically occurs around 20 to 30 years of age. At this point, it can reach a height of 40 to 60 feet.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' can live up to 100 years and beyond, and in its final stage, it becomes an old tree. It may lose some of its vigor and become more susceptible to pests and diseases, but it can still produce seeds and continue to provide habitat for wildlife.
Throughout its life cycle, Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' goes through seasonal changes, producing flowers in the spring and dropping its leaves in the fall. It also provides shade and ornamental interest with its beautiful golden-yellow foliage.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring - summer
Seeds:
Seeds can be collected from mature pods in winter and should be planted after the last frost of the season in well-drained soil. They germinate best with soil temperatures of 70-90°F. It may take several months for the seeds to germinate.
Cuttings:
Stem cuttings can be taken from semi-hard wood in late summer or early fall. The cuttings should be 6-8 inches long and about 1/4-1/2 inch in diameter. The cuttings should be allowed to form calluses before planting in soil with temperatures between 60-80°F. It may take anywhere from 1-12 months for root formation.
PestsSpider mite, Gall midge, Borer, Scale insects, Bagworms
DiseasesVerticillium wilt, Anthracnose, Powdery mildew, Canker
