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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Robinia pseudoacacia
The Black Locust is a tree with not only an amazing history and ecological function, but appearance too! Its rounded foliage makes a distinct sight wafting in spring breezes, while the long chains of white flowers entice winged creatures to the Locust’s rich nectar.
The wood structure of Black Locust gives it remarkable strength, flexibility, density, weight, and resistance to rot. For this purpose, it has been diversely employed. The Native Americans used sapling Locusts as bows, while early American settlers valued its durability and straightness for ship masts. It would be an incredibly important timber tree today were it not for boring insects that prey heavily on the tree outside the safe haven of the Appalachian Mountains. However, the tree remains economically important as a source of high-quality, flavorful honey.
Black Locust, a legume, uses special root bacteria to help it make nitrogen. This has two effects: it enriches the soil; and it enables the tree to succeed without fertilizers on the poorest sites imaginable. Its profuse roots are also effective at controlling erosion.
Leguminosae (Legume)
Medium-sized tree with forked and crooked limbs forming a wide, irregular, and open crown. The bark of mature trees gradually deepens to a jet black color. Twig bases usually have two short, stout spines. Leaves are pinnate and pleasantly oval in shape, up to 12” long, and are lime-green on top and blue-green on the bottom. Flowers are white and pea-like with green centers, a strong scent, and hang in long chains throughout the spring. Fall color is a bright yellow but does not last long and the primary fall attraction are the 4” long, flat, dark brown bean pods which occasionally spin to the ground during strong gusts.
Ordinarily 40 to 60 feet in height and 1 to 2.5 feet in diameter. Larger and straighter on ideal sites
A medium size tree. The bole is often divided forming a broad, irregular, open crown.
Fast
Sun to partial shade
Black Locust may be planted on virtually any site with adequate sun and drainage. It is the perfect specimen for nutrient-poor sites, fields, or large slopes. The tree requires little to no fertilizer. Pruning should be in the fall, because Locust bleeds in the spring.
Black Locust is a highly desirable ornamental because of its tolerance to a wide variety of urban conditions, including air quality, soil quality, heat, and pollution. The plant also provides shade and a unique display with its foliage. Various cultivars have become popular as shade trees in the US and Europe.
Because Black Locust is so tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions, it is nearly maintenance free in the home landscape. However, remember that the plant occasionally suckers, a problem solved by mowing the suckers or simply allowing the plant enough space to grow naturally. It is also suitable on the edge of woodlands and other rough, drier areas; it even does well on steep or rocky slopes where most other plants cannot succeed.
Deer browse the foliage of young Black Locusts. This causes little long-term damage because the plant’s sharp thorns protect the trunk and the plant simply re-grows lost foliage. The copious, strongly scented flowers attract hundreds of butterflies during the day and yet more moths at night. Black Locust also hosts both the Silver-Spotted Skipper and the Zarucco Duskywing.
Black Locust is widely distributed from Pennsylvania down to Georgia, but the tallest and strongest plants grow exclusively in the Appalachian Mountains, where they thrive on the cool temperatures which retard certain boring insects from damaging them.
Seeds have a hard coat which requires scarification or a soak in hot water.
Text by
Kevin Tarner,
Georgia Wildlife Federation
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