Buy more to save more! Shop now and get up to an extra 30% off your entire order!

Your plants can be on their way to you in less than two days with Grower Direct Express!

Happy & healthy plants shipped right to your doorstep.

Free Shipping On All Orders $139+

Shademaster Honeylocust Tree

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Shademaster'
$8999
  • Out of stock
  • Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Plant Size

Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

Click Here to learn more

 

Plant Sentry

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Plant Highlights

Shademaster Honeylocust Tree highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Shademaster'
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Mature Height
    50 - 75 feet
  • Mature Spread
    25 - 40 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate - Low Once Established
  • Soil
    Widely Adaptable
  • Growth Rate
    Fast
  • Flower Color
    Yellow - Insignificant
  • Fall Color
    Yellow
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    When Dormant
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring

The Shademaster Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Shademaster') is an almost perfect lawn tree. That's a big statement, but this is a great tree! The Shademaster grows into the beautiful rounded, open, and airy shape that you expect in a nice lawn tree. Plus your pollinators will seek out the fragrant greenish-yellow flowers in the spring! The leaves are nicely green through the summer, and turn a lovely golden-yellow in the fall!

You're probably thinking, "That's pretty normal for a tree", and you're right. The Shademaster Honeylocust excels in areas where other trees don't, though! The leaves are small and the branches are widely spaced. Why is this good? There are a couple of reasons.

First, the tree casts a nice shade for you, but not such a deep shade that the grass or other plantings beneath it can't grow well. That's a plus for your lawn! The long odd-pinnately compound leaves are almost fern-like!

Second, when autumn hits and the leaves fall, you'll see that they are so small they don't need to be raked! They aren't big enough to hurt the grass below them.

Thirdly, many types of Honeylocusts have imposing thorns and large seedpods that can be a bit of a disaster to clean up in winter. The Shademaster is both thornless and seedless! There is no mess to clean up! What a great tree.

Finally, Honeylocusts have extremely hardwood and hold up extremely well from ice storms and wind damage throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9! You won't have to worry about this amazing tree falling and wrecking your house or yard!

Planting and Application:

These are ideal lawn trees that cast light shade over large areas 25 - 40 feet wide when mature. But there is no worry this shade will kill your lawn. Plus being a seedless variety, Shademaster will remain mess free!

This mess-free tree is also perfect for planting near a driveway or paved seating area where the small leaves practically clean themselves up. Shade your backyard entertainment areas or reduce cooling costs in the summer by situating this tree 10-15 feet from your home to block the sun in the summer but let light through in the winter once the deciduous leaves drop.

  • Fragrant Spring Flowers
  • Small Fine-Textured Leaflets
  • Fast Growing Open Airy Rounded Canopy
  • Thornless & Seedless Cultivar of the Hardy Native!
  • Impressive Lawn Specimen, Light Shade & Curb Appeal

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Just like the Honeylocust trees that are native to America, the Shademaster is very hardy. The Shademaster, though, has been bred to be extra hardy. It isn't fazed by street or air pollution, salt, soot, compacted soils, or challenging sites. Give it plenty of sunlight and watch this fast-growing tree thrive! Plant Honeylocusts, sometimes spelled Locust trees, in any well-drained soil with regular moisture during their first year. After they are established, Honeylocust only needs supplemental watering during extended periods of drought.

Top the soil with a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch - especially when planted in the lawn. Create a buffer zone extending 3-4 feet from the trunk to protect the bark from mower and weed wacker damage. Low-maintenance, a simple pruning if needed can be performed in late winter or early spring.

  • Full Sun Tree
  • Highly Adaptable To Any Well-Drained Soil Type
  • Pollution Tolerant, Compacted Soils, Urban Conditions & Salt-Tolerant
  • Moderate Moisture Needs & Appreciates Mulched Beds
  • Super-Low Maintenance - Prune When Dormant

Practically no maintenance and the perfect amount of shade without harming turfgrass. Plus nice color and form - You want the Shademaster Locust tree for your yard! Don't hesitate! Buy one today from Nature Hills Nursery!

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
81%
(17)
19%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
a
admiration
Beutiful specimen tree

I obtained seedlings of this beutiful tree from a great specimen tree. In three years I have two trees that are beyond reach. Instant shade! Growth rate has been phenomenal. To back up, this tree doesn't produce a bunch of undesirable seedlings until late maturity and then only a manageable amount. It is thornless. It is a better shape and size than the usual parking lot locuts tree varity. I saw my specimen tree on a college campus and couldn't help but admire it. So golden and dropping, almost willow like.

Dear admiration,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your beautiful specimen trees! We’re thrilled to hear that your two trees have grown majestically in just three years, providing such gratifying instant shade. It sounds like you have an exceptional variety that exceeds expectations—a thornless, well-shaped tree with a manageable seedling production is truly a gardener’s gem.

We love your comparison to a golden, willow-like canopy; seeing a beloved specimen drawing hundreds of admiring glances on a college campus is clearly a testament to its aesthetic appeal and vigor. For your continued success, be sure to maintain consistent watering during dry spells to sustain that phenomenal growth, and a light pruning if needed to keep its best shape.

If you’d like any tips tailoring care to its stage as it matures, or ideas for companion plants to highlight its lovely form, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We enjoy helping nature enthusiasts like you cultivate such impressive additions to their gardens!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

D
Dave
Honeylocust

Just planted this tree a few weeks ago. Looking forward to Spring and seeing how it does next summer

Hi Dave,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new Honeylocust tree! We’re delighted to hear it’s in the ground and already becoming part of your landscape. Spring is the perfect time to watch it thrive, and with proper care, your Honeylocust will provide wonderful shade and beauty as it matures.

As the warm weather approaches, be sure to keep your tree well-watered especially during dry spells, and consider applying a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and protect the roots. If you'd like, we also have detailed care guides on 'Tree Planting and Early Care' on our website that can offer handy tips for nurturing your young Honeylocust.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need personalized advice or have any questions along the way — we’re here to support you every step of the growth journey.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Dave
Honeylocust

Just planted this tree a few weeks ago. Looking forward to Spring and seeing how it does next summer

Hi Dave,

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback about your new Honeylocust! We’re excited for you and confident that with some care, your tree will flourish beautifully by next summer. Honeylocusts are wonderfully resilient and bring such lovely dappled shade—you’re in for a real treat.

As you watch it settle, be sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season, to help those roots establish deeply. If you’d like, we have some handy care guides on watering, fertilization, and winter protection available on our website to support you as your tree grows.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want tips along the way—we’re here to help every step of the way!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
It has leaves now

I have never ordered a tree, so I did not know what to expect. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is it does not have any branches, but is does have leaves. It came to me as a "stick". I ordered and used the root booster and now is has leaves. Hoping it works out!

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new tree! We truly appreciate your honesty and are delighted to hear that it's already showing leaves after your careful care using the root booster. Many trees do arrive appearing as “sticks” because they are dormant or just beginning to emerge from rooting, and it sounds like yours is off to a promising start.

As your tree starts putting out leaves, it’s a great sign that roots are establishing well. To encourage strong branch development over time, consistent watering (keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged) and occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer through the growing season can be a huge help. Also, giving it plenty of sunlight pardons it to thrive—just as the experts always suggest for nursery success!

If you ever want tailored advice or troubleshooting tips as your tree grows, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to support your green adventures every step of the way.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
It has leaves now

I have never ordered a tree, so I did not know what to expect. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is it does not have any branches, but is does have leaves. It came to me as a "stick". I ordered and used the root booster and now is has leaves. Hoping it works out!

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your tree! We're delighted to hear that the root booster has helped your new arrival start growing leaves—what a wonderful sign of progress. It’s quite common for young bare-root trees to come without branches at first since they focus their energy underground before pushing out growth above. With your care and patience, those branches should appear as the tree establishes itself.

If you’d like, we have some helpful resources on nurturing young trees and encouraging healthy branch development. Feel free to reach out anytime for personalized tips or specific guidance to make your planting journey even more successful.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Shademaster Honeylocust

Shademaster Honeylocust Tree

From $8999

Growing Zones

4-9

Mature Height

50 - 75 feet

Mature Spread

25 - 40 feet

Sun

Full Sun

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

Yellow

Flower Color

Yellow - Insignificant
View product

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Error, Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden’s USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.