Gleditsia, tria, var, iner, Sunburst - #15

Size: Medium deciduous tree, typically 30-45 feet tall and 25-40 feet wide at maturity (often pyramidal to broad spreading form).

Branches: Open, spreading with distinctive horizontal, zigzag branching pattern, creating an airy, graceful canopy.

Leaves: Fern-like, pinnately or bipinnately compound with small leaflets; emerge brilliant golden-yellow in spring, mature to bright green or lime-green in summer.

Flowers: Produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow clusters in late spring to early summer.

Bark: Grayish to dark gray, smooth when young, developing furrowed plates with age.

Habitat:

Highly sought after for its bright spring foliage, fine texture, and dappled shade, commonly used as a lawn shade tree, street tree, park specimen, or accent in landscapes and urban settings, where it provides light, filtered shade allowing grass or underplantings to grow beneath, plus excellent tolerance for drought, salt, pollution, and poor soils.

**Tree arrives dormant in 15-gallon pot**

Tree Care:

Planting: Well-draining soil preferred, but highly adaptable; full sun (best for vibrant color), proper spacing (at least 25-40 feet for mature size).

Soil: Tolerates a wide range including clay, loam, sand, alkaline, compacted, or urban soils; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline pH, amend with organic matter if needed for establishment.

Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during establishment; highly drought tolerant once established—avoid overwatering mature trees.

Fertilizing: Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth is slow.

Pruning: Prune in late winter to develop strong structure or remove dead wood; minimal pruning needed once mature, but shape young trees as desired every few years.

Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for issues like plant bugs, leafhoppers, canker, or borers and apply controls if necessary; generally tough and low-maintenance.

Mulching: Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it away from the trunk.

Foliage: Known for its open, airy form with delicate, ferny compound leaves that burst into brilliant golden-yellow new growth in spring, shift to bright green in summer, and return to glowing yellow in fall, casting light dappled shade and adding cheerful seasonal highlights to lawns and landscapes.