North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Donna &/or Kieran" <holycow@cookeville.com>]

They don't come true to seeds...      About 25% of seedlings are thorny


Hector,
   I didn't know this!  We've had two seedlings come up that must be from 
from your place, both are thornless.  There are NO honey locusts in the 
vicinity except for these two trees.  I think the seeds must have laid 
dormant for several years before they sprouted.  We whacked one tree last 
year because it was in the way, and anyway I could see there were suckers 
here and there that I could move or leave if I wanted to.  I don't know what 
sex the trees are, one bloomed last year but I didn't look hard enough. 
Anyway, there wasn't a pollinator if it was female.
   I've wondered if honey locusts could be crossed with carob or tamarind, 
have scrounged around for info on whether they would be closely enough 
related.  They aren't in the same genus, that much I remember.  Wonder if 
there is something with fleshier or more palatable pods in the same or a 
closely related genus?   There is a rather unpleasant flavor in honey locust 
pods, not terrible, but not the best.  Of course I say the same about kiwi 
fruit...     Donna