Do black locust trees have deep roots?
While a number of sources state that black locust is commonly shallow-rooted (reviews by [72,167,312]), the species occasionally develops deep roots (review by [167]). Vertical roots were found at 20 to 25 feet (6.1-7.6 m) in the Southwest (review by [167]) and 21 feet (6 m) in the Oklahoma panhandle [42].
Were did the black locust tree come from?
The Black Locust is native to the Eastern United States. It was brought to the Western United States (California) by gold miners, who grew the plant for mining timbers. Once in California, it was planted because the wood made excellent railroad timbers. Black Locust was later brought overseas to France in the 1600’s.
Are black locust trees very poisonous?
The bark, seeds, leaves and twigs of the black locust tree are toxic to humans, cattle, poultry, sheep, and horses. The black locust grows 40-100 feet tall and is most common in the southeastern states of the United States. … The black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) is extremely poisonous if consumed.
Are black locust trees male or female?
The flowers of the black locust are perfect, meaning they contain both male and female reproductive parts, stamens and carpels, respectively. A cultivar of the black locust tree, "purple robe," features flowers that range from lavender to a deep purple.
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How quickly does a black locust tree grow?
– 4 feetBecause it fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere, the trees grow incredibly fast (3 – 4 feet in a season) and can quickly become windbreaks, shelterbelts, and shade and shelter for animals in silvopasture grazing systems.
Is black locust a good tree to have?
Black Locusts are a good tree for erosion control, land reclamation, and for a durable hardwood that grows extremely fast. They benefit wildlife, can be used for fence posts and hardwood lumber, and produce very fragrant flowers in Spring.
Is a locust tree a good tree?
Locust trees are excellent for erosion control and tolerate urban pollution and road salt spray well, so they are good trees to plant on graded areas and near roads and driveways. Some locusts grow quite tall, so allow enough space between trees that they will not be crowded when they reach their mature height.
Should I cut down black locust?
Spread of black locust can be hindered by repeated cutting during the growing season. All stems should be cut, and new stems that appear subsequently should also be removed in the same growing season.
What is the lifespan of a black locust tree?
about 80 to 90 yearsBlack locust is a fast growing but medium- lived deciduous tree with an average lifespan of about 80 to 90 years (rarely over 100).
Do deer eat black locust trees?
The beautiful flowers of the black locust are valuable food sources for honeybees. Deer and rabbits eat from the tree, and ruffed grouse consume the leaves.
Are black locust trees messy?
Are honey locust trees messy? While honey locust trees drop both small leaflets from their compound leaves and purple seed pods, these drop around the same time in fall. The resulting mess is rather easy to clean-up, though the small leaflets are a bit difficult to manually rake.
What kills black locust trees?
Triclopyr is more effective than glyphosate, but both have been used in the control black locust1. If possible, foliar sprays are effective when the leaves are fully expanded. For larger trees, cut down and apply undiluted triclopyr into the freshly cut surfaces of the stump.
Do locust trees have deep roots?
Honey locusts have strong, deep taproots that extend as far as 20 feet down as opposed to most trees, which only extend 3 to 7 feet beneath the surface However, unlike the classic tap root system, honey locust trees also have profusely branching roots, as is characteristic of heart root systems.
What is black locust wood good for?
Common Uses: Fence posts, boatbuilding, flooring, furniture, mine timbers, railroad ties, turned objects, and veneer. Comments: Black locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance.
What is the difference between honey locust and black locust?
Honey locusts can be distinguished from Black Locusts by their longer, widespread thorns and longer seedpods. The bark of the two trees is also quite different in color and shape, and the Black Locust's flowers are large, showy white clusters, while those of the Honey Locust are creamy and insignificant.
Can you cut the top of a locust tree?
Never “top” a tree by cutting off its canopy to reduce the size. You are removing its lifeblood and slowly killing the tree.
Are black locust trees messy?
Are honey locust trees messy? While honey locust trees drop both small leaflets from their compound leaves and purple seed pods, these drop around the same time in fall. The resulting mess is rather easy to clean-up, though the small leaflets are a bit difficult to manually rake.
What is black locust wood good for?
Common Uses: Fence posts, boatbuilding, flooring, furniture, mine timbers, railroad ties, turned objects, and veneer. Comments: Black locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance.
What is the difference between honey locust and black locust trees?
Honey locusts can be distinguished from Black Locusts by their longer, widespread thorns and longer seedpods. The bark of the two trees is also quite different in color and shape, and the Black Locust's flowers are large, showy white clusters, while those of the Honey Locust are creamy and insignificant.
Is black locust wood toxic?
The bark, seeds, and leaves of black locust trees contain poisonous compounds called toxalbumins. They are toxic to both livestock and humans and have been reported to cause symptoms from gastrointestinal distress to nervous system disorders.
Black Locust Tree Facts
Growth Rate – Black Locust Trees can grow up to 4′ per year when young. Typically 2′ per year once several years old.
Black Locust Native Range
The primary Native Range of Black Locust is centered in the Appalachian Mountains from Alabama to Pennsylvania, centered in Tennessee and West Virginia. However isolated pockets were also created during glacial retreat in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas.
How to identify Black Locust Trees
Mature Black Locust Trees will grow on average 50′-80′ tall (15m-24m) and have an irregular crown shape. The branching on a Black Locust tree is typically upwards.
Thorns
Thorns occur along the smaller branches and twigs which are about 1/2″ long, and occur in pairs. These thorns are quite sharp, and can cause minor injury if you grab a branch or sapling.
Leaves
Black Locust Tree leaves are compound alternate leaves in an overall arrangement that is approximately 6-18″ long by ~4″ wide. The individual leaflets are about 1-2″ long by roughly half as wide, with a rounded shape. Leaves will have a light green color early, changing to blueish-green color when mature.
Flowers
In late Spring on Black Locust Trees, groups of white flowers will form and hang down from the branches in beautiful arrangements. The overall cluster will be 4-7″ long, and look like dangling cluster of pea-like flowers that are very fragrant. An individual flower is approximately 1″ long with 5 petals that are white in color.
Seed Production
The flowers will give way to seedpods that are approximately 2-4″ long by 1/2″ wide and hang down much like the preceding flowers. Each pod will contain roughly 2-12 seeds that are hard, 1/4″ diameter, and have a rounded shape but very flat.
How tall is a black locust tree?
Black locust trees can reach heights of 70 to 80 feet but are more often 30 to 50 feet tall.
What is the color of the leaves on a black locust?
Foilage. Pinnate venation of black locust leaves. Leaves of the black locust turn from white to yellow in the summer. In terms of foliage, it has an alternate leaf arrangement and odd pinnately compound structures. The blue to blue-greenish leaves have pinnate venation and grow no longer than two inches. Hide.
What is a black locust used for?
The black locust has also been used for chemical pulping systems in the paper industry.
Why is black locust wood so popular?
Because of its need for minimal maintenance, the black locust is ideal for reclamation projects and roadside planting. Although a common misconception is that its wood is strong and durable (pioneers built ships and houses with black locust wood), its branches are actually brittle and damage easily in high winds.
What is the bark of a black locust?
Black locust tree bark's characteristic ridges. In its early stages, the bark of the black locust is smooth and green while mature trees have bark that is dark brown, deeply furrowed, and topped with ridges. General branching pattern of the black locust in spring and summer. Detail of a black locust thorn.
When do black locust seeds ripen?
Pods are smooth, three to four inches long, and are either dark brown, black, or red. Pods typically contain four to eight seeds and ripen in late autumn. Pods hang on the branches of the black locust until early spring attracting birds and small mammals such as squirrels. Hide.
What color are the white flowers in autumn?
In autumn, the white flowers turn a rich yellow.
How tall do black locusts grow?
Black Locust. Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia. Pea Family (Fabaceae) Introduction: Some cultivars of this species reach heights of only 20 to 30 feet. In May they offer fragrant flowers that are white or rose-pink, borne in racemes that are 4 to 8 inches long. Black locust is a tough tree that will survive very poor conditions.
What soil does a black locust tree live in?
Culture: Black locust will adapt to many soils, except those that are permanently wet. It performs best on moist, loamy soils of limestone origin. Black locust transplants easily. It fixes nitrogen, partially creating its own supply of nitrogen. It is hardy in Zones 3 to 8 (possibly 9). It does have several problems, including internal decay (conk), borers and black locust leaf miner, which gives the tree a brown appearance in late summer. Although black locust does have these pest problems, with the exception of internal decay (Phellinus robineae), they seldom kill the tree. Trees with internal decay break apart in wind storms and should be removed in urban areas where their failure has the potential to cause property damage or endanger people.
How long are locust leaves?
Leaf: Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound and 6 to 14 inches long. Each leaf includes seven to 19 leaflets that are 1 to 2 inches long. Leaves are dark blue-green in summer and yellow-green in fall. Black locust drops its leaves early in fall. Hardiness: Winter hardy to USDA Zone 3.
Where did black locust come from?
It is thought that the botanist for France's Henry IV, Jean Robin, or his son Vespasien, sent seeds of black locust, probably from Louisiana, to Europe in the early 17th century. Although decay organisms destroy living wood rapidly, once cut, black locust has durable, hard wood.
What is the bark of a black locust?
The bark of black locust is reddish brown to almost black with deep furrows. Bees make a delicious honey from black locust flowers. Locust pods are eaten by livestock and wildlife.
How tall is a purple robe?
‘Inermis' - A thornless cultivar, this tree is small (20 feet tall) and globe-shaped. ‘Purple Robe' - This compact, rounded cultivar, one of the most attractive forms, should not exceed 30 to 40 feet in height.
Where do sage trees grow?
Botanical Information. Native habitat: Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma. Growth habit: Often upright with a straight trunk. Form varies with cultivar. Tree size: Choose cultivars in the 20- to 30-foot range. Growth rate is fast.
What is a black locust?
Black locust is a nitrogen-fixing tree that prefers disturbed habitat, old fields, thickets and degraded woods. It crowds out native vegetation of prairies, oak savannas and upland forests, forming single species stands. Often forms dense stands where established and can choke out other vegetation. Black locust should be reported.
How tall is a spruce tree?
Fast-growing tree, up to 75 feet tall with an open crown.
What do Black Locust Trees Look Like?
The black locust is a moderately sized tree, usually sticking around heights of 12-30 meters, but sometimes obtaining a height of about 52 meters if the conditions are exactly right (and if they aren’t subjected to a disease or sickness). In mature trees, trunks reach a diameter of up to 1.2 meters.
What are the Growing Conditions of Black Locust Trees?
Black locust trees will truly grow anywhere where there is soil that isn’t too wet, and where there ample sunlight. They are very intolerant to shade, and that is why they are very typically found in grasslands where there is no canopy competition. Because they don’t grow particularly tall, it’s very easy for them to beat out by taller competition.
How do Black Locust Trees Reproduce?
Black locust trees are the most easily recognized by their incredible flowers. They appear in the early summer, are intensely fragrant flowers, slightly resembling the scent of orange blossom. They are large and papilionaceous in shape (meaning shaped like a butterfly). These flowers slightly resemble the shape of an orchid and are incredibly stunning. Its uppermost petal is adorned with a yellow blotch.
What Pests Affect the Black Locust Trees?
Like all species of plants on earth, they are bound to deal with some pest or another. Luckily, black locusts have yet to experience a devastating disease that wipes out the population. The black locust is nowhere near being endangered, but it does have to deal with the following pests.
What family is a black locust tree?
The black locust tree is part of the robiniae plant family . This is a subfamily of the plant faboideae family, to which the carob tree ( ceratonia siliqua L ., which is used as a replacement for cocoa powder) belongs as well! Funnily enough, the leguminous peas and beans are also kin to these trees.
What color is locust bark?
Their trunks stand very straight and upright and is covered in the bark that is a reddish-gray color. Black locust bark in old trees is deeply furrowed with grooves and ridges that form thin diamond shapes in the bark, and these grooves are usually an attractive orange hue.
Why do locust trees grow in sandy soil?
Conveniently enough, when a black locust tree is planted in a sandy area or soil that isn’t very nutrient-rich, it helps to make the soil healthier, which ends up being better for the surrounding plants . It does this through nodules in its root system that are nitrogen-fixing, which is then fed into the soil.
Update: February 2019
If you are in the Northwest (or have heard the news) you know we had an insane amount of snow recently.
Update: June 2021
Our neighbor had the last locust cut down to a stump in late 2019, and we are STILL getting suckers popping up all over the yard, though there seems to be fewer of them (or maybe that’s wishful thinking?). I’m hoping the roots will be exhausted in the next 2 – 3 years.
What is a black locust tree?
The black locust tree is a deciduous tree of medium-size, and it is sometimes called false acacia. Various types or cultivars of the tree can be found in the US and around the world.
Where is the black locust tree native to?
The tree is native to the southeastern United States, but it has been transplanted to other areas of the globe such as Australia, Pakistan, China, Canada, India, Europe, South Africa, Asia, southern South America, and New Zealand. The black locust tree is a deciduous tree of medium-size, and it is sometimes called false acacia.
How do black locusts reproduce?
They reproduce asexually using suckers and sexually with flowers that are pollinated by insects. Hymenoptera insects are the primary pollinators of black locust flowers. The physical characteristics of the flowers prevent the male and female parts from coming into contact, keeping self-pollination to a minimum. Black Locust seedlings can grow quite quickly, but because the seeds have a thick coat, not all of the seeds will end up germinating. Good crops of seeds can be harvested every year or every two years.
What is the hardest wood to grow?
The wood of the locust tree is one of the hardest woods found on the North American continent. In addition, it is resistant to rot. These features make it popular choices for woodworking and the creation of fence posts, small boats, wooden paneling, flooring, and furniture.
What is the use of black locusts?
Human Uses. Black Locust trees are used as honey plants in the Eastern portion of the United States. European countries also use them as honey plants, and a type of honey called acacia honey is created with them. After 140 growing days, the black Locust tree flowers begin to bloom.
Why are locusts considered weeds?
Black locusts are often thought of as weed trees, because they frequently grow in areas that have been disturbed or cleared, where sunlight is plentiful between gaps in other congregations of trees. Black locusts frequently spread through underground shoots as well.
Where do locusts live?
However, the black locust is native only to southeastern North America. The exact original/native range of the tree isn’t known, and it has spread across the United States and can now be found in the entire lower 48 states, as well as parts of British Columbia and Eastern Canada.
How tall is a locust tree?
This locust tree species can grow into a tree or a shrub and it reaches heights of about 10 feet with beautiful purple branches and flower batches that bloom in spring and summer.
Where do black locusts grow?
Black locusts, or Robinia pseudoacacia, belong to the Robinia genus. They’re fast-growing, strong trees, found in the woodland areas along stream banks of the U.S.A. The black locust robinia tree can tolerate poor soil, drought, pollution, and even salt.
What Does A Locust Tree Look Like?
Black Locust Tree (Robinia Pseudoacacia). Because of its white flower, Black locust is a popular ornamental tree.
What are the problems with locust trees?
Problems with Locust Trees. In some areas, cankers and root collar rot are serious problems for honey locust trees. Cankers first appear as flattened or discolored surfaces on the branches and trunk of the tree. Over time, cankers can spread and completely girdle the tree, causing tree death.
What are the most common types of locust trees?
The most popular types of locust trees in North America are called black locust and honey locust. In this article you’ll find all you need to know about their uses, popular varieties and related planting processes.
What is a honey locust?
The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a fast-growing tree. Honey locusts, or Gleditsia triacanthos, are part of the Gleditsia genus. They’re also referred to as ‘thorny honeylocust’ or ‘thorny locust’. The honey locust is a deciduous tree, meaning it tends to shed its leaves and flower petals.
How tall does a shademaster honey locust tree grow?
The Shademaster honey locust tree has no thorns and grows faster than most locust trees. Reaching heights of 50 feet and upwards. One advantage of growing Shademasters is that they don’t produce fruits. Meaning they’re easier to maintain than other locust trees.
How tall do black locust trees grow?
Black locust trees grow to between 40 and 100 ft. (12 – 30 m) with exceptional varieties reaching heights of 171 ft. (52 m). The sharp spines on black locusts are usually present on immature trees and grow at the base of each leaf. Different to honey locust trees, the sharp spikes are short and don’t grow in long branches around the tree.
Where do black locusts grow?
The black locust tree is also called “False Acacia,” “Fragrant White Locust,” and “Common Robinia.” It is native to states such as Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and southern Ohio.
What is the difference between a black and honey locust tree?
The species of locust trees are divided into two genera: Robinia and Gleditsia. Black locust trees are in the Robinia genus, while honey locust trees are in the Gleditsia genus . The name “honey” comes from the fact that honey locust trees have pods with sweet taste.
What are the two most common locust trees?
Let’s look at various kinds of locust trees, starting with the two most popular species—the black locust tree and the honey locust tree.
What is a locust tree?
Locust trees are fast-growing flowering trees that belong to a family of flowering plants called Fabaceae. The most common types of locust trees are the black locust and honey locust tree. Locust trees are hardy trees that are known for their hard and durable wood, fragrant sweet spring flowers, and colorful fall foliage.
How big are locust thorns?
Leaves of black locust tree. Another identifying feature of locust trees is their sharp thorns that can measure 1.2” to 4” (3 – 10 cm) long. These prickly spikes can grow singularly or on thorned branches. They are extremely tough and can easily puncture the skin. Locust tree thorns.
How long does a locust tree live?
Locust trees can live for over a hundred years, and the wood is one of the hardest woods from any deciduous tree. Locust tree lumber is exceptionally durable and the timber is excellent for making furniture, fence posts, flooring, and small boats. Compared to honey locust timber, black locust wood is more common.
