THORNS - Remove Or Not

ozzerbon

G'day guys,

Anyone have any serious input regarding the removal of thorns from a dwarfed tree, for instance, have a GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS. Honey Locust in mind?

Have read here and there that some folks do it, is it detrimental to the tree in the long run, and if it's OK to go ahead and remove them is there any particular time that they should be removed?

Nigel

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RWillieK

Nigel - do you have any pictures of older Honey Locust? I saw the picture of the cutting a while ago, on the "other" group

I've got pretty good access to honey locust, its all over the place here.

Thanks

Robbie

ozzerbon

G'day Robbie,

Nope, the only pic I've got is attached, and since this pic was taken I've started to carve an irregular shari, from top to bottom to give the otherwise boring trunk some kinda interest.

Still wanna know about those thorns, to remove or not?

Nigel

Attached Images

gleditsia triacanthos - nov 03_1.jpg (25.2 KB, 175 views)

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RWillieK

If the are very small already, I'd say leave them on - they grow naturaly on a full sized tree. I usually find honey locust while at work, I usually back into them - ouch!

Robbie

clrosner

I usually remove the thorns from most of my trees. I have never found the removal of the thorns as hurting the tree only me!

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Bart Thomas(deceased)

I have this silly theory (and the scars to prove it) that, if a tree has thorns, it's aesthetically best to leave them. After all, it's part of the character of the tree.

I have never heard of adverse effects due to clipping them.

rockm

As an owner of a larger collected rose bonsai, I'd say remove them. Working such bonsai in the final refinement stages becomes painful and difficult when the tree is drawing blood. Although thorns can add charm, they eventually make you less willing to work on the tree, since painful experiences are naturally avoided. Would you rather work on that nice thornless trident, or that nasty thing that snags your shirt and scores your hands every time you come within range?

Fletch

Hmmmm, I guess my question would be do mature trees in nature retain the thorns on their trunks or just on the branches? Most of the trees and bushes I've seen around here (Sea Buckthorn - Hippophae rhamnoides for example) tend to carry the thorns more heavily on the branches than on the trunk (rubbed off by animals?).

If you are wanting to go for the natural look then I would be guided by that. If you are not wanting to look strictly natural then removing thorns from your trees will not really hurt them at all and will prevent them from hurting you.... The only thing will be you may have numerous small scars on the trunk to heal over time, no big, eh?

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FredL

Here in NW Arkansas, the Honey Locusts in the woods retain their thorns. However, there are very wide variations between individual trees as far as how thorny they are. Some are just incredible as far as how big and branched their thorns are; others approach the thornless variety popular for landscaping. Any of them can be quite lovely when in bloom, rivaling Wisteria for the beauty of their blossoms.

I have to admit to a degree of skepticism as far as the suitability of Honey Locust for bonsai. I hope your's works out. I love these trees for their blossoms. Despite their availability, I'm not trying to work with them. We have another Locust here, the Black Locust, that also has the beautiful blossoms typical of Legumes that I think might be better adapted. It's leaves, though large and compound, are not as unwieldy as Honey Locust and it's thorns not nearly so large and wicked.

Fred