The Gettysburg Address Honey Locust stands on a hilltop in Pennsylvania close to the spot where President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the greatest speeches in American history. President Lincoln completed the 64-word oration and returned to his seat before the photographer had his camera ready. The honey locust is easily recognized by large, branched thorns on the trunk and foot-long, leathery seed pods. Thorns served as early pins for Native American and Pioneer garments, and the pithy-centered seed pods are a source of wildlife food.