To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Honey Locust
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 08:45:27 -0600
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