The last year or two we had fewer Honeylocust pods; meaning fall cleanup was much easier. This summer's hot dry weather sent the trees into overdrive producing record numbers of seedpods. We've filled bags full of them to take to the dump; usually working while the wind continued to knock them down on top of us.
They've carpeted the ground under the 'Golden Shadows' Dogwood and everywhere else you look. We've managed to get them off the pond, the paths and the area around the Tea House. There's still going to be an awful lot to clean up in the spring, and the weather's turned nasty enough that I'm not tempted to do any more work outdoors at the moment.
I understand the frustration of dealing with an endless mess like that. Is the tree a vigorous self-seeder?
Posted by: Kris P | Wednesday, December 08, 2021 at 12:08 PM
Wow, that is a lot of pods! We have a few, but not that many. My biggest challenge is the massive Oak leaves. I'm trying a slightly different method this year of raking some and relying on the Northwest winds to blow the ones in the back into the woods. It seems to be working. ;-)
Posted by: Beth@PlantPostings | Wednesday, December 08, 2021 at 09:08 PM
Wow. As I pick up leaves and needles in my garden the chore seems to never end. There is such a difference between leaves that quickly break down, and thick waxy ones that do not. These pods are on a whole other level! How many Honeylocust do you have?
Posted by: danger garden | Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 11:33 AM
LOREE — We have three trees but only two get pods. It seemed like we never had seedlings, not like with the Sugar Maple. But last summer I felt like I was pulling tiny Locust seedlings from all over the garden.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 11:40 AM
BETH — Letting the wind solve the problem is a great solution.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 11:40 AM
KRIS P. — I didn't use to think the Locust self-0seeded much but it seems to be doing it a lot more. Maybe it's another consequence of climate change.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 11:42 AM