Gleditsia triacanthos Goofy

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Goofy' is a rather curious variety of American Honey Locust. It is a small deciduous tree with an irregular and sparsely branched habit, without thorns, whose zigzag branches bear clusters of green and shiny leaves. The autumn foliage, more or less yellow, is not particularly spectacular. Plant enthusiasts will choose to plant it as a standalone specimen. Its slightly ghostly silhouette, interesting even in winter, will stand out in a well-cleared location.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Goofy' was selected in 1991 by Peter Cave in Hamilton, New Zealand. The species, American Honey Locust, is a tree of the fabaceae family related to the carob tree, native to the eastern and central United States (from Nebraska, through Pennsylvania, to Texas). It grows rapidly in moist soil. Young plants need to be protected from severe cold, but an adult tree can withstand temperatures well below -15°C. Once well established, the American Honey Locust is resistant to summer drought. It can tolerate almost any soil, except those that are too acidic.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Goofy' exhibits moderately fast growth, depending on the growing conditions. This non-grafted cultivar reaches between 4 and 5 metres in height, with branches that can spread just as wide. It is characterised by an irregular, sparse, and loose branching structure. The main trunk, always upright, rarely branches, and the branches that do emerge are more or less trailing and sparsely branched. The slender, reddish, zigzag or twisted branches are covered with small clustered leaves that barely resemble the typical leaves of the species. The foliage turns yellow before falling in October-November. The trunk has a beautiful dark bark with fissures, initially reddish-brown, becoming grey. This tree almost never produces flowers and does not bear fruit. It has a deep taproot system, which requires deep soil.

The Gleditsia triacanthos 'Goofy' is a specimen tree that should be planted in a large garden. Its highly unusual structure will be complemented by a carpet of Liriopes or Black Ophiopogon at its base.

One might wonder why American Honey Locusts (Gleditsia) are not more commonly planted. Perhaps it is due to its thorns (although absent in some varieties) and its insignificant flowering, which is more than compensated by the splendour of its foliage.

As an ornamental tree and utility plant, Gleditsia has hard and dense reddish-brown wood, used locally for the production of posts and railway sleepers, and also appreciated in cabinetmaking. Its foliage, rich in protein, makes excellent fodder for livestock. This highly adaptable tree, while thriving in rich and moist, even poorly drained soil, ultimately tolerates dry, poor, and limestone soils once it is deeply rooted, of course.