Ashworth Honeylocust

Description

The Ashworth Honeylocust was selected by John Hershey of Pennsylvania as one of several varieties to be used as a cattle feed and for the possibility of developing an on farm sugar source. Mr. Hershey was hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority during the Depression for their tree improvement program to help rural people to improve their lot on the farm. The selections he made were from all across the United States and his priorities were thornlessness, productivity and sugar content. The tree produces huge numbers of long pods that fall in late fall and early winter. They are highly palatable to cattle and other wildlife. Sugar content can reach 30%. The seeds have a high protein content and if gathered and ground make an excellent chicken feed. Ashworth Honeylocust originated in New York State

Honeylocust trees vary greatly in form. In a forest site, they can be tall and timber like. In the open, they can grow broad and have a rounded crown. The bark is dark grey or black and broadly flaky. The wood is highly rot resistant with a grain similar to Red Oak. Wild trees are recognized by the wicked thorns that grow from the trunk. Real tire punchers. Grafted selections rarely have any thorns.  The leaves are  pinnately compound meaning they are a compound, compound leaf form. The leaves themselves are small and held on a compound rachis or leaf stem. The tree creates a very pleasant light shade that grass can grow in. The trees are a legume so they fix nitrogen from the air feeding the grass underneath. These make great pasture trees providing shade and nutrition for the livestock.

Deer love the pods in fall as do other forms of sugar loving wildlife. Hunters will find these to be a great addition to their food plot plan.

The trees we offer are grafted onto a thornless Honeylocust rootstock