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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Gleditsia aquatica is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf from June to October, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization Wood

Having an extensive root system, it is planted for stabilizing wet banks and marshes[200]. Wood - heavy, very hard, strong, durable in contact with the soil, coarse-grained[82, 229]. It weighs 46lb per cubic foot[235]. The wood is extremely durable and is used primarily for making fence posts[229].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position[11]. Succeeds in most soils[200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. Rather tender when young, it grows best in S. Britain[11]. A slow-growing tree[11], it is growing well at the Hillier Arboretum in Hampshire where a tree was 7 metres tall and 8 metres wide in 1993[K]. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late in the spring and drop their leaves in early autumn[200] making them an excellent top storey tree in a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse[78]. The seed should have swollen up, in which case it can be sown, if it has not swollen then soak it for another 24 hours in warm water. If this does not work then file away some of the seed coat but be careful not to damage the embryo[78]. Further soaking should then cause the seed to swell. One it has swollen, the seed should germinate within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual deep pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana (south), Illinois (south), Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (north & central), Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Gleditsia caspica	Caspian Locust	Tree	12.0	6-8	M	LMH	N	DM	1	0	2
Gleditsia japonica		Tree	20.0	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	3	1	3
Gleditsia koraiensis	Korean Honey Locust	Tree	20.0	-		LMH	N	DM	2	2	2
Gleditsia macracantha		Tree	18.0	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	0	1	2
Gleditsia sinensis	Locust	Tree	12.0	8-9	M	LMH	N	DM	3	3	2
Gleditsia triacanthos	Honey Locust	Tree	20.0	4-8	M	LMH	N	DM	3	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Gleditsia aquatica - Marshall.