Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Notes: drooping, black seed pods 2-4″ long. The bark is deep furrowed and blackish. Each leaf usually has a pair of thorns at its base. Its fragrant white flowers (which smell similar to orange blossoms) can be dipped in batter and deep fried. Because it tolerates pollution well, it makes a good city, planted tree. Black Locust wood is hard, resistant to rot and durable, making it useful for furniture, flooring, paneling, fence posts and small watercraft. It is also planted for firewood because it grows rapidly and makes a good slow burning fire. It has the ability to burn even when wet. Makes a good  shade tree, used as erosion control and/or for flowering effect.

Wildlife: Black locust produces large dark seedpods which hang and provide food for quail, turkey, grouse, pheasant, and song birds  from autumn to early spring when vegetation becomes scarce. Small wildlife animals often take advantage of the Black Locust’s thorns by nesting among the branches. Deer are also attracted to Black locust.

Cold Stream Farm supplies Black Locust trees which are grown as bare root seedlings and transplants and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.

Additional information on Robinia pseudoacacia can be found on the link: USDA / NRCS PLANTS Database.