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Locust tree, Gleditsia triacanthos

tree of the family Fabaceae - Caesalpinia
(Judas tree, Carob tree, Cassia, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Locust tree, Tamarind)

Etymology: The Latin name is given in memory of Gleditsch, manager of the botanical gardens of Berlin (1714-86).
Origin: Canada, introduced into Europe in 1700. China.
Habitat: the Locust tree grows especially on sandy ground or in the humid clay soils.
Lifespan: 150 years.
Height: 15 - 20 metres high in the wild state.
Bark: smooth and shining to the young tree, grey and covered of deep furrows with scaly crests to the mature tree.
Shape: It has very spread branches branches of which are ramified in zigzag.
Feature: It carries long thorns, as the acacias of the African savannah.
Deciduous foliage. Leaves composed of small leaflets, in May.
Uses: fruits pendulous (kind of beans) are edible. A brandy was extracted from it, after fermentation. The hard thorns replaced nails.
In some regions of China, the pod served for fabricating the soap and the tree was named "tree with soap".


There is a gold Honey Locust, of which leaves are light green for a few months (April-June). It is used for decoration.
 
 
 

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