Gleditsia (Honey Locust) variety

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Capitata

Tree

N/A — ornamental to harvest

Full sun to part shade

Also known as: Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata' · Capitata Yew

What's special about Capitata

Upright columnar cultivar with dark green needles.

Growing this variety

Capitata follows the same growing basics as Gleditsia (Honey Locust). Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Gleditsia (Honey Locust) family.

Season

Sow stratified seed in early spring; collect fresh seed in fall

USDA zones

Check the species' native range against your USDA zone before planting.

Sun

Full sun to part shade

Start indoors

After stratification, start in deep pots 8–12 weeks before transplant

Direct sow outdoors

Fall sowing works for many species (natural cold stratification over winter)

Days to harvest

N/A — ornamental

Germination

Germination time

20–60 days after stratification

Soil temperature

65–75°F (18–24°C) after cold treatment

Spacing & depth

Sow depth

Sow large nuts and acorns 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) deep; winged or small tree seed 1/4–1/2 in (6–12 mm).

Seed spacing

One seed per deep tree pot or root trainer, or 4–6 in (10–15 cm) apart in a nursery bed.

Mature plant spacing

Space to the mature spread — 30–50 ft (9–15 m) — set the planting distance to the mature canopy, not the sapling

Row spacing

N/A — plant single specimens, or 15–20 ft (4.5–6 m) apart in a windbreak row.

How to plant

Stratify seed as noted. Sow in deep tree pots (tall root trainers) filled with well-drained mix. Keep evenly moist and in bright light after germination. Grow on for 1–2 seasons before planting out to a permanent, well-prepared site with a wide mulch ring.

Grower's tip

Tough urban trees with delicate, fern-like foliage; many have thorny trunks and long seed pods.

Woody plant facts

USDA zones

Check the species' native range against your USDA zone before planting.

Mature height

40–70 ft (12–21 m) for most shade trees

Mature spread

30–50 ft (9–15 m) — set the planting distance to the mature canopy, not the sapling

Pollination

Wind-pollinated. A single tree sets seed once mature, but a second tree nearby improves seed fill.

Planting depth for seed

Sow large nuts and acorns 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) deep; winged or small tree seed 1/4–1/2 in (6–12 mm).

Soil pH

6.0–7.0

Disease & problem notes

Keep mulch off the trunk, water deeply rather than often, and prune in dormancy to limit canker and rot entry points.

Soil preferences

Soil type

Deep, well-drained native soil. Avoid amending the planting hole heavily — roots should learn to grow into the surrounding earth.

pH range

5.5–7.5 depending on species (conifers lean acidic; most hardwoods neutral).

Amendments

Top-dress with compost and mulch in a wide ring; don't backfill with pure compost.

Watering

Frequency

Deep soak weekly the first two years while roots establish; taper once the tree self-supports.

Method

Slow trickle at the drip line, not the trunk. A 5-gal bucket with a pinhole is ideal.

Over vs. under

Overwatered: yellowing, root rot, mushroom collar. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop.

Top-water or bottom-water?

Prefers top-watering — Top-water only — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering is only for tree seedlings in nursery pots (shallow tray 15 min). Established trees always get watered from above onto the soil.

Temperature tolerance

Ideal daytime air temp

Broad — most species tolerate 40–90°F once established

Ideal nighttime air temp

Down to species-rated USDA zone minimum

Frost sensitivity

Hardy once established; young seedlings need protection their first winter.

Special germination requirements

Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.

Container growing

Container-suitable?

Possible with the right cultivar

Recommended pot size

Deep tree pots (root trainers) for the first 1–2 seasons; permanent site required for full growth.

Notes

Only dwarf, patio, or bonsai forms live long-term in containers.

Detailed harvesting

Not applicable for ornamental/timber trees. Nut and fruit species — pick when they drop naturally.

Post-harvest storage & preservation

Nuts: keep damp and cool, sow promptly. Winged/coned seed: dry, cool, dark in a sealed jar.

Culinary, medicinal & other uses

Shade, windbreak, wildlife habitat, timber, ornament, and long-term carbon storage.

Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.

Seed saving

Pollination

Wind- or insect-pollinated; seedlings rarely match the parent exactly (especially named cultivars — those must be grafted or cutting-grown).

Isolation needs

Not practical for trees. Expect variation.

How to save

Collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean, dry or keep damp per species, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.

Your zone's planting calendar

Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for gleditsia (honey locust) in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.

USDA zone