The genus Gleditsia contains about 14 species native to the warm temperate and tropical regions. There are two species in North America, which hybridize.
All species look alike, with respect to wood anatomy.
Waterlocust Distribution Honeylocusts range extends from Pennsylvania west to South Dakota, Nebraska, south to Texas, east to Alabama and Georgia, northeast along the Appalachians to Pennsylvania. The Tree Honeylocust trees can reach heights of 80 feet, with a diameter of 3 feet. The sapwood of Honeylocust is yellowish and wide, while the heartwood is light red to reddish brown. It has no characteristic odor or taste. It is very heavy and very hard, tough, strong, with a high luster.