Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst'

• Feature Tree
• Avenue Planting
• Shade Tree
• Council or Civic Landscapes

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' works in an:

• Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
• Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
• Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
• Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height: 10m - 15m Approximately

Mature Width: 8 – 15 meters

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' is expected to grow 30 – 60 cm per year.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' is expected to grow 30 – 60 cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

• Medium Growth Rate
• Fast Growth Rate

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' frost tolerant?

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

• Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
• Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
• Sydney & Central Coast
• South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
• Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
• Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
• Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
• Adelaide Metro & Coastal
• Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ produces small, greenish-yellow fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. These subtle blooms are largely hidden within the foliage, with the tree’s standout appeal coming from its bright golden new growth rather than its flowering display.

Does Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' flower?

• Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

• Spring

Flower Type:

• Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Yellow

No

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' is Native to North America, where Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) grows naturally in woodlands, valleys, and along riverbanks.

Its nectar-bearing blooms attract bees and small pollinators, while the open canopy provides perching and foraging habitat for small birds. The seed pods formed later in the season offer food for wildlife, and the dappled shade supports beneficial insects, boosting garden biodiversity.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' will thrive best in:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. While hardy, it may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support strong drought resilience, stable structure and vibrant golden foliage.

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Sunburst’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry and exposed locations, maintaining its vibrant golden foliage and open, airy canopy with minimal supplementary watering.