Gleditsia triacanthos

Gleditschie

Common names: Lederhülsenbaum

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The Gleditschie (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a summer‑green tree in the legume family with finely feathered, light green foliage that resembles ferns and turns golden‑yellow in autumn. It is valued as a street tree for its exceptional hardiness, tolerating heat, drought, and compacted soil, making it common on roads and in parks. The wild form bears strong, branching thorns on the trunk and branches, while cultivated varieties such as 'Sunburst' are thornless and grow more compactly. The leathery, dark‑brown seed pods often hang on the tree into winter and are a distinctive identifying feature.

Care instructions

Plant the Gleditschie in a location that receives full sun to partial shade, allowing ample space as mature trees become tall. It has few soil requirements, provided the ground does not stay permanently wet; sandy to loamy soils are equally suitable. During the first two to three years, regular watering during dry periods helps establishment, after which it tolerates drought well. Prune in late winter (February to week 8) to remove dead or crossing branches; heavy pruning is usually unnecessary. For the thorny wild form, use sturdy tools and thick gloves during pruning; cultivated thornless varieties are easier to maintain.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–88.0

Soil type

well-drained, loamy, dry, nutrient-rich

LightFull sun

HardinessHardy

Feeding

Light feeder

Pruning

MonthsJan–Feb

SeasonLate winter

Pruning typeFormative pruning

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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