Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Skyline’

Whilst growing 10,000 seedlings on his nursery in Painesville, Ohio, Barrett Cole noticed one with a strong central leader, ascending branches, and a dense compact foliage. He found that it rarely developed any gummy seed pods. Barrett cultivated this seed form, patenting it as Skyline in 1957. The trees aesthetic appeal, low maintenance requirements and adaptability make it a favourite among landscape architects and local authorities alike.

Honey Locust Skyline is finely textured, delicate, and fern-like, its foliage lending a gentle touch to its overall look. Its leaves, arranged alternately, are either pinnate or bipinnate, made up of numerous leaflets. These start off as bright green in spring ad turn a fresh green in summer. In autumn, the leaves transform into radiant buttery yellow before eventually dropping to the ground, creating a vibrant carpet of colour beneath the tree.

What sets Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Skyline’ apart from other honey locust varieties is its virtually thornless nature. While the species is known for its formidable thorns, this cultivar has been carefully selected and bred to avoid them. This makes it easier to maintain and much more user friendly.

Skyline is a strong resilient tree ideal for urban locations and street canopy covers. It handles drought, water logging, clay soil, salt spreading, pollution, and tightly compacted tree pits. This fast-growing tree will provide a pleasant, dappled shade but will allow enough sunlight through to benefit any plants growing beneath it. It is a fantastic choice for those seeking a visually captivating and hassle-free tree to enhance their landscape.