Get to know this plant.
Identification clue 1
Huge twice-compound leaves
Identification clue 2
Coarse stout twigs
Identification clue 3
Large pods on female trees
Read the leaves
Trace a leaflet back: it joins a side stalk that joins the main leaf stalk. This twice-divided architecture is a strong clue.
More growing details
Read the bark
Rough bark develops scaly ridges with age.
Fruit & seed
The species can bear thick dark pods, but Espresso is a male selection and should not be represented as fruit-bearing.
Winter character
Stout sparsely branched twigs and large leaf scars create a distinctive bare silhouette.
Origin & place
A North American species native chiefly west of the Appalachians. NC records include planted trees and rare escapes; Espresso is a male cultivar.
Compare with Honeylocust
Honeylocust has finer leaflets and thinner twigs; typical wild trees may have branched thorns.
WNC Notes
Seedless male cultivar; tough urban shade tree with coarse winter architecture.
Sun Exposure
Full sun
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
50–60
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
35–45
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Inconspicuous
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Low