Gleditsia triacanthos inermis 'Shademaster'

Shademaster Honeylocust

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Shademaster’ is a fast-growing, thornless deciduous tree valued for its strong branching structure and broad, spreading canopy that provides more consistent shade than many honeylocusts. Fine-textured green leaves emerge in spring, create light to moderate filtered shade through summer, and turn soft yellow in fall, while blooms are small and not ornamentally significant. Its durable nature and uniform habit make it a widely used shade tree for lawns, parks, and streets.

Type: Deciduous tree

Mature Size:
Width: 35–45 ft
Height: 40–60 ft
(10-year size: approx. 20–25 ft tall × 15–20 ft wide)

USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Broadly oval to spreading, strong branching
Light: Full sun
Soil: Highly adaptable; tolerates poor, compacted, and urban soils
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Wildlife: Attracts bees; provides light habitat for birds


Features & Landscape Uses


Broad canopy provides more consistent shade



Strong structure for lawns and street plantings



Ideal shade tree for parks and large landscapes



Highly tolerant of urban conditions




Care
Very low-maintenance and durable. Plant in full sun for best growth. Prune when young to develop strong structure and branch spacing. Tolerates heat, drought, salt, and pollution. Generally pest- and disease-resistant, though occasional honeylocust pests may occur.

Plant type

Shade Tree

Height

40-60'

Width

35-45'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Highly Adaptable

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Specimen, Street Tree

Shape

Oval/Rounded

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes

10-year height

15-20'

10-year width

20-25'