Well I've managed to do a lot more research into the honey locust for
shade issue.
I've seen the trees (several varieties of them) and while there are a
few thorns on some of them they are nothing like the pictures
presented of the wild forms. There are several named varieties and
many seedling programs from trees with specific characteristics. Most
of the selection has been to reduce thorns, which coincidentally also
reduced the pod production. Several groups are working to breed
thornless but high pod producing varieties. Some are grafted but not
many, they do not seem to take as well when grafted.
There are local people raising cattle in honey locust shaded pastures
and yes they do produce some pods. Many of the trees are also
planted in the urban areas in the local towns as well behaved
roadside shade trees.
The local extension service subsidizes the purchase of trees if
planted to provide shade or wind breaks or improve habitat. There is
a list of trees provided that way and honey locust is one of them. I
can buy honey locust at a significant discount. The trees are ordered
in the fall (right now as a matter of fact) grown by the CSU
horticultural classes all winter and then delivered in the spring.
The variety is one specifically chosen to be thornless and fast
growing but does not produce much in the way of seed pods.
Final decision is that I will purchase a few trees from the CSU
program, and a few of the high pod producing variety from another
research group and try it. We'll be preparing the ground now and will
plant in May 2004.
Thought I'd pass on the info since there seems to be some significant
work being done to develop the good points of honey locust and reduce
the problems by selective breeding of specific varieties.
--
Oogie McGuire - oogiem@desertweyr.com
Weyr Associates - Multimedia and Web Authoring Services & Consulting
Desert Weyr - CMK Arabian horses and Black Welsh Mountain Sheep
http://www.desertweyr.com/
Paonia, CO USA
