Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Dimensions:

• Height: 40’ - 60’

• Mature spread: 25’ - 75’

• Trunk Diameter: 2’ - 4’

Habitat and Range:

• common throughout Kentucky in thickets, pastures, old fields and roadsides

• abundant in the Bluegrass region

Features:

• in May, has pendant racemes of fragrant flowers that perfume the air nearby, and make the whole tree appear creamy against a blue sky

• used for fence posts, railroad ties and mine props

• grows more rapidly than any other tree

• strongest and most durable of North American woods, and one of the hardest

• pea-like white flower clusters are a favorite of honeybees and hummingbirds

• leaves sleep at night — the leaves fold together like pages of a book and open again at daylight

• paired, short, stout thorns at the base of each leaf

History:

• black locust tree was cultivated by Native Americans prior to arrival of European colonists

• wood used for bows