The Honey Locust is a heavily-thorned tree with large curled bean pods and cinnamon-colored heartwood. It can be identified by it’s compound thorns (thorns growing from thorns) which often protrude from the trunk in clusters.
Many bowyers prize this wood for its physical characteristics (tensile and compression strength) which are good for making bows, though not as tough as Bois d’ arc (osage orange) or hickory. In TX the distribution of honey locust is primarily in the Eastern part of the State and the Red River Valley. It favors sunny areas along the edges of creek and river bottoms.
This honey locust tree was growing on the Dry Comal Creek hiking trail in New Braunfels. It was incorrectly marked by the local park service as “Black Locust,” a cousin of the honey locust.
If you ever stop and get a closer look at these trees, they will leave an impression.
What an incredible coat of armor on this tree.