Is this leaning honey locust going to be a problem long term?
by healthy_grass420
Is this leaning honey locust going to be a problem long term?
by healthy_grass420
17 Comments
Not an expert but 100% positive everyone will tell you to get rid of the stakes
It’s already overhanging the fence so that is going to be more and more of an issue. Depending on how deep and how far the swale is that will be a problem as well. Basically a bad place to plant anything permanent.
Small trees and whips like this one will usually establish more readily and tend to be stronger in maturity but also need more guidance if you want a nice, straight trunk. You will need to prune as it grows to achieve the neat and sturdy “tree shape” in maturity. I will also note, this little fella is quite close to that fence. I certainly don’t worry about it now, but I have worked with honeylocust that were easily 24 inches DBH.
If it’s the fence you’re worried about, the tree is already more valuable and it can be moved fairly easily. Zero concern there. The concrete water runoff might be more of concern though, given that it’s open the tree might try and crack into that
In my experience these can be wonky and wobbly for years and then all of a sudden be a tree beast.
I have mature trees of this with spikes as found naturally. They are a pioneer species and I rarely find them blown over in wind. In fact almost never; however, in future their branches do like to to fall off.
If it’s a seedling that appeared you’ll likely have the killer thorns one day. If a cultivar you’ll be ok. Google up the spike/thorn thing. Interesting read!
Fun fact. If your honey locust gets stressed enough it will shoot out thorns and revert back to having thorns. Ask me how I know.
Seems like a fine spot for this tree.
If I was your neighbor I would be very annoyed in a few years
Wicked thorns coming your way
there’s one across the street from us. terrible trees. dropping leaves all year. don’t do it.
Is that fence a property line? Or are both sides yours?
If the fence is a property line your neighbor may hate you in a few years when it is dumping debris that they have to clean up.
I don’t think that space will be big enough for it. My honey locus trunk plus flare is about 6 feet across. But it’s great shade on hot summer days.
You will regret this location. You’ll have extra maintenance invested. You’ll have neighbors complaining. You’ll end up at r/treelaw for some reason in a few years.
PSA to all humans: research the projected mature form of your tree, if you don’t have that much space you are asking for problems.
Love a honeylocust, gives the best dappled shade. I would prune the two lowest branches at this point, will help straighten it out.