The honey locust is a North American tree. It was occasionally naturalised in Central and Southern Europe. Other common names used for it include Sweet bean, Sweet locust and Honeyshuck. Trees are deep rooted, long lived and open growing with a long trunk.
Trees frequently send up suckers from the roots.
Below most leaves and buds it bears 3 spines, the central one larger than the other two The leaves emerge in late spring, usually missing any late frosts, and fall early in the autumn. The small leaflets decompose quickly. They turn a clear bright yellow in the autumn before falling. Flowering begins early at about 5-10 years. The sex of the tree cannot be identified other than by the flowers.