Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level 4 inches deep.
- Examine the bark on the branches for sunken or dead patches.
- Review your watering schedule to ensure deep soaking.
Likely causes
Drought stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look dry and brittle, starting at the edges and tips. The soil around the base feels bone dry several inches down.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. Apply a 3 inch layer of wood mulch around the base to help hold moisture in the soil.
Canker disease
PossibleHow to tell: You may see sunken, discolored areas on the bark of branches. If a branch is girdled, the leaves beyond that point will turn brown and die.
What to do: Prune out affected branches at least 6 inches below the visible canker. Always sterilize your pruning shears with alcohol between cuts to avoid spreading the fungus.
Find out what's wrong with your honey locust
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If the browning is accompanied by sunken bark lesions or dead branches, it is a serious issue. Minor tip browning during a hot, dry summer is often normal for young trees.
Stopping it coming back
Provide deep, regular water during the first 3 years of growth. Avoid wounding the trunk with lawn equipment, as injuries allow fungi to enter.
Honey locust: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your honey locust and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Is my tree dying if the tips are brown?
- Not necessarily, but it is a sign that the tree is struggling to move water to its extremities. Adjusting your watering routine usually fixes it.
- Can I fertilize to fix the browning?
- Avoid fertilizing a stressed tree, as this forces growth it cannot support. Focus on water and mulch first.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Honey locust
Back to the Honey locust guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.