11

I found this tree growing on a farm on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. It has really nasty thorns sticking out all over.

Click on pictures for larger view.

enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here

Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
  • 6,215
  • 8
  • 39
  • 74
Richard C
  • 914
  • 6
  • 15

2 Answers2

11

It looks like a Honey Locust. Not sure what it's doing in South Africa though, as it is native to North America. Someone must have planted it there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust.

Edit: From tcpermaculture.com

History: Native and widespread in central North America. It was used by Native Americans as a supplementary food source. It has been used in more recent times as a fast-growing, ornamental, shade tree, and thornless varieties have been developed. It has been naturalized in most of eastern North America and it has been introduced to India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Some consider it a weed tree in these locations.

enter image description here

renesis
  • 1,760
  • 1
  • 12
  • 21
  • 1
    Those thorns look lethal - ouch –  Mar 09 '16 at 22:49
  • I'm not sure that this is a match. It does look similar. The seed pods on the trees that I saw do not twist or spiral, they're quite straight. – Richard C Mar 10 '16 at 11:10
  • Honey locust is on our weeds list, so I'd be really sad if that's what this is. – Richard C Mar 10 '16 at 13:34
  • @RichieACC seriously I wouldn't put much stock in the weed list. In Florida the Pin Oak (Quercus virginiania) is listed a a weed. A majestic tree like an oak is a weed? Don't worry too much about it. Locusts and other acacias of all types make great honey bee food and produce delicious honey. – Escoce Mar 10 '16 at 15:27
  • https://lowertrentconservation.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/treevia-honey-locust-unhuggable-yet-irresistable/ That site has a photo showing the seed pods that convince me that your answer is correct. I am accepting it as such. Thank you! – Richard C Mar 10 '16 at 18:44
  • @Rosie, I've had a look on Google now. The trees that I saw had the thorns on their trunks trimmed off, because they're in a playground. Their natural thorns are insane. I would not like to tangle with one of these. But it's a really pretty tree, so I think it's worth it. – Richard C Mar 10 '16 at 18:46
  • Just as long a they are above head height and out of reach, I think you're right. Several seasons of interest too. –  Mar 10 '16 at 18:58
1

Tamarind? It is from Africa. Unlike Honey Locust https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind

nportelli
  • 493
  • 2
  • 5