Is this tree poisonous?

My son recently moved & they have a tree in their yard which we can't identify and since they have a 22 month old son would like to know what it is. I probably should have taken a pic, but I will describe it as best I can - maybe somebody knows. The leaves are about 2" long, oval & there are about a dozen to a twig(?) opposite one another with a single one at the tip. There are long seed pods that look like runner beans - and it has REALLY big thorns. We live in Powell River, BC and I don't recall seeing this before. It is about 20 ft. tall, open & airy & the lowest branches are about 4 ft from the ground. Can anybody help or recommend a website for BC plant identification?

 

Check out Honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos; not poisonous), and failing that, Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia; poisonous)

 

WOW - it is definately one of these - but I can't tell the difference! I looked them both up & they both look the same to me - how can you tell I'm a botanical dummy?! But, many thanks, at least we now know that it is a locust tree.

 

robinia leaves are rounded, the gleditsia tend to be somewhat pointed.

 

Thanks - in that case it is a honey locust - it has pointed leaves.

 

Three other differentiating features....you mentioned long seed pods. Honey Locust has long ones >6" and Black Locust has short & small ones ~2". Also, Honey Locust often has double compound leaves vs. always single compound leaves on the Black Locust. Honey Locust thorns are very long and remain on the larger brachnes. Black Locust thorns are short & disappear after the braches get several years old.

I suspect, even on the Sunshine Coast, that it is too cold for Acacia?

Simon

 

Plants of B.C.: http://eflora.bc.ca/
Robinia has somewhat toxic seeds, especially the inner bark,(cambium). I have never had a problem with handling the tree, by stripping the bark off, to make fences,arbors,etc. (it lasts longer than Red Cedar in the ground) Gleditsia & Robinia will grow OK, on the Sunshine Coast.

 

"I suspect, even on the Sunshine Coast, that it is too cold for Acacia?"

No mention here of Acacia, only Robinia (pseudoacacia). The two are not related.

 

Thanks for all your help - it is certainly a Honey Locust, and luckily the thorns are indeed too high up to cause any hurt!

And thanks for the great link for future identifications.