Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’ has a neatly rounded shape with a picturesque branching structure that makes it a superb shade tree. Its canopy provides dappled light, which allows grass to grow beneath it. The bright-yellow new leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’ contrast beautifully with the fresh, lime-green older leaves. During the fall, its leaves turn a vibrant golden color. It produces small, green-yellow flowers in the middle to late part of spring and is also a thornless variety. Gleditsia triacanthos is deciduous and native to North America. Learn more about Gleditsia triacanthos. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Sunburst’ originated in the United States in 1947.