Deer and Honey Locust in the north

[RGrizzzz]

Does anyone know if deer will eat honey locust pods in the north? 6a/6b I'm considering trying to start some Hershey and/or Calhoun, as I'm close to the original Hershey orchard, so the seeds will be free. They seem to grow fast and drop a lot of pods. I read deer love them in the south, but maybe not the north. Theee two varieties are the highest in sugar content and thornless.

 

[catscratch]

Does anyone know if deer will eat honey locust pods in the north? 6a/6b I'm considering trying to start some Hershey and/or Calhoun, as I'm close to the original Hershey orchard, so the seeds will be free. They seem to grow fast and drop a lot of pods. I read deer love them in the south, but maybe not the north. Theee two varieties are the highest in sugar content and thornless.

I'm in 6a. They are invasive on my place. Spend a lot of time and money fighting them. I think Hershey and Calhoun are grafted. If so do research to see if seeds tend to be like parents. Also know that locust can form thickets from root suckering. Not trying to deter you but please research quite a bit before getting them started.

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[Turkey Creek]

I am not promoting them either as they are literally a pain to control! I have lost a lot of blood and money as well repairing tires due to Honey Locust.

But yes I have seen deer eating the pods on a number of ocassions.

 

[bearcat]

As someone who has locust trees on my place, I would highly recommended against introducing them to your place.
I’ve spent countless hours spraying them in an effort to get rid of them. They are the tree of the devil


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[SwampCat]

You can come get all the honey locust you want off my place. I would put it in a steel vault for transport because if a seed escapes - it might start growing in the bed of your truck and you would never kill it. I would plant poison ivy before I planted honey locust. I rarely see deer eating the pods. If you need a feed tree in calcarous soil - plant persimmon. Do not plant them - your neighbors will thank you.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Ok. In think you guys talked me off the ledge I didn't say coming

 

[catscratch]

We are full of advice! Any chance you considering Sericea Lespedeza, Johnson Grass, Marestail, Palmer Amarnath, or thistles? I can tell you about them also.

 

[Hoosierhunting]

You can come get all the honey locust you want off my place. I would put it in a steel vault for transport because if a seed escapes - it might start growing in the bed of your truck and you would never kill it. I would plant poison ivy before I planted honey locust. I rarely see deer eating the pods. If you need a feed tree in calcarous soil - plant persimmon. Do not plant them - your neighbors will thank you.

Literally they will thank you. We have a local “habitat guru” who was instrumental in helping spread Autumn Olive because he believes there’s no better bedding cover. Complains now that it’s difficult to obtain for plantings.


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[RGrizzzz]

We are full of advice! Any chance you considering Sericea Lespedeza, Johnson Grass, Marestail, Palmer Amarnath, or thistles? I can tell you about them also.

LOL. Honey Locust are native trees. Their range is close to our camp, but maybe just short.

 

[Kurt]

So far, pre leaf emergence, I have cut some 6" diameter and smaller and stacked them. In the process spreading thorns all over of course. Will know if they are dying I reckon pretty soon.

I have girdled larger ones and sprayed with Triclopyr/diesel. I sprayed the smaller ones too after cutting down. So my question is, is girdling needed or is it safer to just spray the heck of them without chainsawing? Handle smaller and larger ones differently?

 

[catscratch]

So far, pre leaf emergence, I have cut some 6" diameter and smaller and stacked them. In the process spreading thorns all over of course. Will know if they are dying I reckon pretty soon.

I have girdled larger ones and sprayed with Triclopyr/diesel. I sprayed the smaller ones too after cutting down. So my question is, is girdling needed or is it safer to just spray the heck of them without chainsawing? Handle smaller and larger ones differently?

If the bark is scaly they need ringed or cut down before spraying. If the bark is "skin like" then just a basal spray works. Very few on my place have made it big enough to need ringing, basal spray works well.

 

[Kurt]

Don't seem to have many smooth ones out there but will just spray those when I come across. Easy is better. After they are dead a year or two is it any easier to handle them? Seems they would be lighter but guessing blood will still be involved.

 

[Kurt]

Got some good looking locusts on the place now. Got some that need the girdle and spray treatment yet but high temps and humidity have slowed me down.