ExploreTrees

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

The Black Locust tree has white flowers that smell sweet like perfume. Its bark is rough and dark, and it grows tall with strong wood that's good for building things.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Black Locust is a fast-growing tree with rough, deeply furrowed, dark gray-brown bark. It has thorny twigs and long, compound leaves with many small, oval leaflets. In late spring, it produces drooping clusters of fragrant, pea-like white flowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusRobinia
Black Locust
deciduous trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badge
Black Locust

Category

Trees

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Believe it or not, this tree is actually related to garden peas and beans!

Black Locust flowers smell wonderfully sweet, attracting bees to make delicious honey!

Its wood is incredibly dense, making it North America's hardest and most durable!

This tree can sprout new trees from its roots, forming entire groves!

Special abilities

Ability

Soil Enricher

Black Locust enriches poor soil; it has root bumps with bacteria that create nitrogen, a vital plant food!

Ability

Thorny Protector

Black Locust has sharp thorns on its branches, helping defend against animals trying to eat its leaves or bark.

Ability

Pioneer Power

Black Locust grows in disturbed areas, like old fields, because it easily sprouts from roots and spreads quickly.

Measurements & details

Height
12-25 m
Canopy Spread
6-12 m
Edible
No
Trunk Diameter
30-90 cm
Lifespan
50-100 years
Fruit Type
Legume pod
Growth Rate
Fast
Leaf Type
Deciduous

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar for honey

symbiotic with

Rhizobium Bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

lives in root nodules, fixing nitrogen

depends on

Locust Borer Beetle

Megacyllene robiniae

larvae tunnel into its wood

eaten by

Black Locust Leafminer

Phyllonorycter robiniella

larvae feed on its leaves

Traits

Also known as

False AcaciaYellow Locust

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Enjoy looking at Black Locust trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Black Locust?

12-25 m

How wide does Black Locust spread?

6-12 m

Is Black Locust edible?

No

How big is Black Locust?

30-90 cm

How long does Black Locust live?

50-100 years

Where is Black Locust usually found?

Forests

What kind of fruit does Black Locust produce?

Legume pod

How fast does Black Locust grow?

Fast

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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