Unfortunately, the truth is that honey locust has been overused in landscaping and avoiding all pests or diseases may not be possible. As a result, your tree may be short-lived as compared to its native counterpart in the wild, but it will still be enjoyable for shade and fall color while it remains healthy. Because this tree is a dense wood and shock resistant and nonrusting, the timber from honey locust has been used as fence posts, railroad ties, furniture, warehouse or shipping pallets, tool handles… Due to rapid growth, aggressive re-sprouting, and density of the wood, this plant has excellent potential for use as a biofuel either by direct burning of the wood or cellulosic ethanol production as well. Other favorites are for gum, sweetener, flour, beans, and firewood. Honey locust is used extensively by wildlife. The bean pods are a favorite food of the white- tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, hogs, opossums, and raccoons. Domestic animals such as sheep,goats, and cattle will also forage on the bean pods. The honey locust does not actually produce any honey; it got its name from the sticky residue that forms inside of its seed pods. A few differences with the toxic black locust tree compared to the edible honey locust bean are that it has a beautiful cluster of white and fragrant flowers, about one inch in size, that blossoms in the late spring and its pods are smaller sized at two to four inches. The pods have a leathery texture and are dark red to black in color. Black locust can often grow as a weed tree. It also often spreads by underground shoots or suckers, which contributes to the weedy character of this species.