What is the difference between Black and Honey Locust Trees?

Both of these trees will grow in warm climates, but there are some distinguishing features that will allow you to recognize one over the other. The black locust tree has 10 different species, while the honey locust tree comes in 12 different species. The black locus tree is known to grow faster as compared to the honey locust. Some of the old black locus trees are already 50 meters tall.

Another difference is the color of the bark of these two trees. The black locust tree has gotten its name because of the darker-colored bark. The honey locus tree may be more brown or gray in color. The leaves of these two trees are also different from each other.

Black locust and Honey locust are types of trees that grow in warm climatic regions. Black locust is also called false acacia or yellow locust. The botanic name of the black locust is "Robinia pseudoacacia." There are about ten known species of Black locust trees. Black locusts are medium-sized trees that can reach about 50 ft in height. It has a straight trunk. However, the steams are zigzag in shape. The leaves appear dark green, and in fall, they turn to weak yellow. Black locust has very rough and dark bark.

The bark has groves that surround it. On the other hand, Honey's locust botanical name is "Gleditsia triacanthos." It is known to have about 12 different species. Honey locust can grow up to 60 to 100 ft. Tall. It often has a wide-spreading canopy and short main trunk. The leaves appear bright green during summer and change to yellow in fall. The bark of a Honey locust appears gray to brown in color. It also has thorns surrounding the bark.