Black Locust Tree

Botanical name: Robinia pseudoacacia
Family: Fabaceae (pea)

Click on images of Black Locust to enlarge.

Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia - Bark and Leaves

  • Native
  • Deciduous
  • Medium size tree growing up to 75-95′ in height and 25-30′ wide canopy
  • Fairly straight trunk with many alternate branches that lack a terminal bud
  • Monoecious
  • Heavily furrowed and very fibrous, ridged bark
  • Long (10-14″), pinnate, compound leaves with 7-19 oval leaflets, one at the tip
  • White, fragrant flowers that hang downward in elongated clusters appear in late spring
  • Fruit is small pods
  • Roots tend to create many suckers sometimes forming thicket
  • Though it is not considered a commercial wood it is a very durable wood for outside projects such as fence post.
  • Makes good burning firewood
  • Fast growing
  • Full to partial sun
  • Nitrogen fixer
  • On invasive species list in some states
  • Related to honeylocust
  • Zones 6-10