What Is the Chinese Honey Locust (Gleditsia sinensis)? A Detailed Guide to Growing It

The Chinese honey locust tree is one of the tree species unique to China, with high health-care value and chemical value, and is often used to make health products and various washing products. So, what is the Chinese honey locust? How is it grown? Let's follow along with the editor and find out!

1. What is the Chinese honey locust?

The Chinese honey locust, also called Gleditsia sinensis, is a vigorously growing subtropical evergreen plant of the genus Gleditsia in the Fabaceae family, mainly distributed along the Yangtze River in Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Sichuan and other places. The Chinese honey locust can reduce swelling and remove toxins, and has the effect of draining pus and sterilizing; it can also be used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a therapeutic effect on acne, styes and so on.

2. How is the Chinese honey locust grown?

1. Site selection

The Chinese honey locust tree likes fertile soil, so it should be planted on loam or sandy loam with deep, fertile, moist soil. For mountain and hilly areas, choose a spot at the foot of the mountain with a gentle slope and relatively flat terrain. For sandy beaches, choose a spot that does not easily accumulate water, and at the same time have certain drainage and irrigation measures to ensure no waterlogging.

2. Land preparation method

Preparing the land before planting the Chinese honey locust tree is to provide a better living environment for the tree, improve the survival rate, improve site conditions and increase soil fertility. Before preparing the land, deep-plow and loosen the soil, and at the same time pick out debris from the soil. When preparing the land, the trenching method or strip method can be used; for scattered planting around the four sides and in small spots, large-hole land preparation can be used.

3. Planting time

The Chinese honey locust tree can be planted in both spring and autumn, but autumn and winter planting is better, because the autumn and winter climate is more favorable for the survival of the Chinese honey locust tree. Before planting seedlings, prepare hole-shaped planting sites according to the size of the seedlings, with hole specifications of 30×30×20cm or 60×60×40cm.

4. Planting density

The greater the density of the Chinese honey locust tree, the higher the thorn harvest per unit area and the better the economic benefit, but management also becomes more difficult, so it should be determined according to actual conditions. After 4 years, when the crowns between plants meet, thinning the dense and keeping the sparse can be considered to ensure ventilation and light transmission in the grove; this is the long-term plan for ensuring the harvest of Chinese honey locust.

5. Planting method

Before planting the Chinese honey locust tree, properly prune the seedling roots. When planting, follow “three burials, two treads and one lift of the seedling”: hold the seedling upright, and when the soil has been filled to the root collar, gently lift the seedling by hand so the roots spread out, then tread firm. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots, then cover with another layer of soil.

6. Fertilization management

For the Chinese honey locust tree, fertilizers should be reasonably selected according to soil nutrient status and tree species characteristics. Generally, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is 3:2:1. Apply base fertilizer before planting, and topdress 3-4 times each year, mainly by trench application and broadcast application, which can be done together with intertillage and weeding.

7. Shaping and pruning

During the young stage of the Chinese honey locust tree, the branches and trunk should be shaped and pruned. If the Chinese honey locust is allowed to grow naturally, it is difficult to make the tree structure and form reasonable. Reasonable shaping and pruning can regulate the growth and development of branches and balance tree vigor, so it should be pruned appropriately, and during pruning, promptly remove the upright vigorous shoots at the top and the autumn shoots.

The above is a summary of little tips on growing the Chinese honey locust tree for you.