Medium-size tree with a narrow pyramidal crown, up to approx. 13 m. Because the trunk grows a straight central leader with little forking, it forms a regular crown. The thornless twigs are olive green, while the older bark is smooth and grey-brown. Grows thicker than other Gleditsia cultivars. The compound leaf emerges late. It is glossy dark green, turning golden yellow in autumn. Does not blossom very profusely, so produces hardly any fruit. Easier to cultivate in comparison to other Gleditsias. Very good street and avenue tree: can grow amid paved surfaces. Also suitable for industrial areas.
pinnate or bipinnate, glossy dark green, feathered leaf
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
a few light green racemes, june/july
Fruits
hardly any, flattened pods, dark reddish brown
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
few requirements
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates paving
Winter hardiness zone
5a (-28,8 to -26,1 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Application
avenues and broad streets, narrow streets, roof gardens, industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Timothy C. Brotzman, Madison, OH, USA & Thomas M. Draves, Darien, NY, USA, 2009
Synonyms
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Street Keeper'
Clear stem treeMulti-stem treecalcareous soilloamy soilsandy soiltolerates pavinglight-lovingresistant to de-icing saltresistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)suitable for dry soilcan withstand windnarrow conical2nd size, between 6 and 12 metresdense crowngreengreenlate sproutaverage growingFeathered leafAttractive autumn colourvaluable for bees (honey plant)non-toxic (usually)Tree for the future
Frequently asked questions
Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves')
Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') can eventually reach a height of 10 - 13 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 10 - 13 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
The leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') turn yellow in autumn.
The right time to plant Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.
Gleditsia triacanthos STREET KEEPER ('Draves') blooms in june.