Fruit is an easy way to distinguish the two.
Mesquite has cylindrical pods. Locust pods are flattened.
Mesquite is shrubbier, typically under 50’
Mature bark on locust has broader ridges that peel from the sides.
Leaves on mesquite are divided into pairs of leaflets with sub-leaflets.
Locust leaves aren’t paired, they appear as a single stem with leaflets.
Not my photos….
Wishbone-shaped leaves (paired leaflets) of honey mesquite
![1700854952080.jpeg 1700854952080.jpeg](https://www.bonsainut.com/data/attachments/507/507889-b27ff5237ce773ee6d3dbab136ec0c96.jpg?hash=sn_1I3znc-)
Mesquite pods
Honey locust
Pods
![1700855309897.jpeg 1700855309897.jpeg](https://www.bonsainut.com/data/attachments/507/507892-641e38acbe3fb443f5c2d7ff41a93340.jpg?hash=ZB44rL4_tE)
Last edited: