The winter months are a great time to appreciate our water locust (
Gleditsia aquatica). This is a water-loving tree that typically grows in wet, soggy areas. Unfortunately, what's good for the tree is also good for breeding mosquitoes. Right now, we have moments of perfect weather without the irksome bloodsuckers. And despite being leafless, the water locust has plenty of winter-time interest: this tree produces spikes that recall a medieval torture chamber!
We have one water locust in the arboretum collection. It was collected locally, on the west shore of Cross Lake, at the home of Centenary professor Dana Kress. The specimen was collected in spring 1995, and planted the following November. It was planted in what was historically the lower pond of the arboretum. Although that permanent body of water was dismantled more than a decade ago, this area remains the wettest part of the arboretum. Several water-loving plants thrive in this area: bald cypress, Louisiana irises, palmettos, and river birch.
Addendum: The genus
Gleditsia got its common name 'locust' from a similarity to a Middle Eastern tree, the
carob, whose fruits resemble the locust insect.
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| The water locust can be found near the long white wooden bridge. It is growing beneath the embankment in an area that was historically called the lower pond. Today, water no longer accumulates in the area, but due to its status as a drainage basin, it remains the wettest section of the arboretum. The water locust is pictured center, on the other side of the wooden guardrail. On the far right of the photograph, we have two palmetto trees and a grouping of river birch. |
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| Standing in the 'lower pond', we get another view. The water locust is again pictured center. Sabal palmetto is to the left of the locust. Louisiana irises cover the ground. |
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| The palmetto casts an interesting shadow on the trunk of the water locust. |
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| Having a look at the ground around the water locust, it appears as if the locust has knees like the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). This is a trick. The bald cypress is simply an opportunist and sends its knees up wherever is pleases, including in the space allotted to the water locust. These knees could belong to either of the two bald cypresses. |
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| Getting a little closer to the water locust, we see that this tree is well armed. |
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| The red-tinged spikes are impressive. |
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| Presumably these spikes protect the tree in some way. Perhaps the spikes dissuade wildlife from devouring the (tasty?) fruits or leaves. |
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| Bald cypress leaves have collected on the lower spikes. |
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| The spikes provide spider-habitat. This picture also captures the undulating surface of the trunk. It isn't round, but rather rippling, similar to the muscular trunk of the ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana). |
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| The bark is gray and bumpy. |
You can find additional information about this species from the following sources:
Stephen F. Austin University State University
United States Department of Agriculture
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Virginia Tech Dendrology
