Parkes Shire Council urges residents to be on the lookout for Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), an invasive tree that damages native ecosystems and farmland. It is listed as a regional priority weed in Central West NSW, with efforts focused on eradicating it from our region.
This deciduous tree, growing up to 20 metres tall, forms dense stands along waterways, outcompeting native plants and reducing habitat availability.
The impact of Honey Locust includes outcompeting native flora, restricting livestock access to water, and creating hazards posed by sharp spines that can injure animals and humans, damage machinery, and puncture tyres. Furthermore, Honey Locust provides cover for pests such as foxes, cats, and rabbits.
Andrew Francis, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability, said: "Early detection and swift action are crucial in managing Honey Locust to preserve our natural ecosystems and agricultural lands."
The species can be recognised by its spiny trunk and stems, with spines reaching up to 10 centimetres in length. It features oval, finely toothed leaflets and clusters of flowers that are creamy yellow or greenish, hanging in drooping clusters. Its brown seedpods, measuring 15 to 40 centimetres long, each contain up to 25 seeds.
Honey Locusts produce over 10,000 seeds annually, beginning at age 3-5, and the seeds remain viable for up to 20 years. Seeds spread through water and animal vectors, particularly livestock that ingest the pods and disperse seeds via manure.
Mr Francis said: "Controlling this species requires a combination of methods, including mechanical removal and targeted herbicide application, to effectively suppress its spread."
Effective control strategies include mechanical removal, fire followed by herbicide treatment, spot spraying for seedlings and small trees, and cut stump methods with immediate herbicide application.
Parkes Shire Council urges landowners and managers to adopt integrated management practices to control this invasive species and protect native ecosystems.
