Gleditsia triacanthos
Gleditschie
Common names: Lederhülsenbaum
Photo: Kevmin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Gleditschie (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a summer‑green tree in the legume family with finely feathered, light green foliage that resembles ferns and turns golden‑yellow in autumn. It is valued as a street tree for its exceptional hardiness, tolerating heat, drought, and compacted soil, making it common on roads and in parks. The wild form bears strong, branching thorns on the trunk and branches, while cultivated varieties such as 'Sunburst' are thornless and grow more compactly. The leathery, dark‑brown seed pods often hang on the tree into winter and are a distinctive identifying feature.
Care instructions
Plant the Gleditschie in a location that receives full sun to partial shade, allowing ample space as mature trees become tall. It has few soil requirements, provided the ground does not stay permanently wet; sandy to loamy soils are equally suitable. During the first two to three years, regular watering during dry periods helps establishment, after which it tolerates drought well. Prune in late winter (February to week 8) to remove dead or crossing branches; heavy pruning is usually unnecessary. For the thorny wild form, use sturdy tools and thick gloves during pruning; cultivated thornless varieties are easier to maintain.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, loamy, dry, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Light feeder
Pruning
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety — anonymous, voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?