Hunter Region Priority Weed Honey locust€¦ · • Reshoots after cutting or damage to trunk if not treated first with herbicide. • Fruit are long curved chocolate coloured pods,

Honey locustFrom fodder to weed – be up to date

Hunter Region Priority Weed

Management guide

ImpactsHoney locust is a deciduous tree up to 20m tall. • Originally grown as a garden plant or fodder

tree.• Distinctive spines growing from the trunk and

limbs can be more than 5 cm long.• Capable of out-competing and replacing native

vegetation.• Seedlings can rapidly take over grazing land if

left unstocked.• The plant can form dense thickets, particularly

along waterways, preventing stock access to water.

• The sharp barbs on its branches can also injure wildlife.

• Spreads by seed and suckering. • Reshoots after cutting or damage to trunk if not

treated first with herbicide.• Fruit are long curved chocolate coloured pods,

20-30cm long. • Pods may be spread by wind or water, or in

garden waste.• Seeds are dispersed by animals eating the pods.• Several golden or red foliaged forms have been

used in gardens. All forms are considered weeds.• A thornless variety can still cause environmental

problems.

Management • Herbicide is effective. Cut stump, basal bark or stem

injection methods work well on older trees. • Foliar spraying can be used on young plants, up to 2m. • Time treatment during summer to late summer before

seed pods mature.• Grazing can help control seedlings.• Mechanical removal is possible for smaller plants. • Care must be taken when physically removing older

trees in riparian areas to not cause erosion problems.

• Dead trees create large debris. This can create further problems.

• Falling dead trees can be a danger to fences, stock yards and buildings.

• Fallen trees can harbour feral animals such as foxes and rabbits, and provide protection for seedling growth.

In NSW, weeds are regulated by the NSW Biosecurity Act, 2015. All land managers have a General Biosecurity Duty to contain the spread of weeds.

“General Biosecurity Duty means that any person dealing with plant matter must take measures to prevent, minimise or eliminate the biosecurity risk (as far as is reasonably practicable).”

The Regional priority for Honey locust is to protect assets from the weed’s impacts. In order to achieve this Land

Managers are asked to:

Mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread from their land. The plant should not be bought, sold, grown, carried or released into the environment.

For further information contact your local Biosecurity (Weeds) Officer via Hunter Regional Weeds or visit NSW WeedWise

5cm thorns on Honey locust. Photo: M Edmonds

Identification

Basal bark herbicide application on Honey Locust. Photo: P Sykes

Honey locust was often planted for stock shade and fodder. Photo: P Sykes

Expanding stand of Honey Locust taking over grazing land. Photo: P Sykes

Mature trees hold pods well into winter. Dead trees need removing in order to eliminate issues from uncontrolled falling. Photo: P Sykes

Honey locust produces long pods that turn chocolate brown with maturity. These have traditionally been useful as fodder, however seed is prolific and spread via seed can be rapid. Photo: P Milling

The calendar below outlines the management approach for a typical year.

Management Calendar

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Growth stage

Seed pods mature Flowering

Flowering and fruiting

Drops leaves with cold temperatures

Action Best time for herbicide controlsub-optimal time

for herbicide controlsub-optimal time for herbicide

control

Recommended control options may vary according to your area. There are experienced professional Biosecurity (Weeds) Officers based in each Local Government Area who have local knowledge and can provide expert advice for your weed management situation. Contact your expert Biosecurity (Weeds) Officer at your local Council or at Hunter Regional Weeds.

Herbicide control options for all areas in NSW, including current herbicide registrations, are available for Honey locust at NSW WeedWise.

Remember that all herbicide must be used and handled in accordance with the label or permit.

https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/HoneyLocust

Further informationFor further information on how to meet your General Biosecurity Duty on your property, your best source is the expert Weeds Officer at your local Council or via Hunter Regional Weeds.

Contact Hunter Regional Weeds www.hunterregionalweeds.net.auHunter Local Land Services www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/hunterNSW Weed Wise www.weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au

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