Leaves are alternate, compound, with thorns or spines.
The honeylocust is a medium to large spreading tree with pleasing, graceful, lacy or fernlike foliage. It is found over the east central United States to eastern Nebraska and Texas and occurs over Iowa on moist soils. It has become a nuisance in many depleted pastures where it has spread widely and flourished. They are dark green above and lighter or yellow-green beneath with margins very slightly toothed. The twigs are slender, shiny, greenish brown to reddish brown.