Pods ripen in autumn but may persist on the tree, falling in winter without opening. The small, irregularly-shaped leaf scars each contain 3 bundle scars. The buds are embedded in the leaf scar and twig, with only the tips visible. A terminal bud is absent. The bark of young trees is gray, separating into long, flat ridges slightly upturned at the end.
Older trees develop a darker, deeply furrowed bark.
The honey locust is common in the midwestern and south central US on floodplains and in limestone soils. It is native to southern, eastern and central Iowa and is widely planted throughout the state. Agriculture has created an ideal habitat in Iowa where this tree has become a pasture and fencerow weed. Although intolerant of shade, the honey locust is extremely adaptable and tolerant of drought, high pH and saline conditions. Diseases and pest infestations have dramatically increased in areas where continuous plantings of this tree occur, with mimosa webworm, borers and several fungal cankers becoming the primary problems.