Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Also listed as Aeschynomene pseudoacacia, Pseudacacia odorata
Also known as Locust, False Acacia, White Locust
Climate Match for your location
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A fast-growing deciduous tree with delicate, fragrant white flower clusters appearing in late spring. Highly adaptable and drought-tolerant once established, though it can spread aggressively through root suckers.
Why grow it
Black locust establishes faster than most nitrogen-fixing trees and tolerates poor, compacted, or sandy soils where other species struggle. It produces abundant nectar valued by beekeepers and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, making it useful in restoration plantings or as a pioneer species for degraded land. Compared to slower-growing native legumes, it offers rapid canopy cover and soil improvement, though at the cost of less structural longevity than harder hardwoods.
Watch out for
The wood is relatively brittle and prone to storm damage as trees age, so avoid planting near structures in high-wind zones. Dense shade and allelopathic compounds in leaf litter can suppress undergrowth, limiting diversity in established stands. Thinning and management are often needed to prevent crowding and to maintain access as the tree matures.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fast-growing deciduous tree with delicate, fragrant white flower clusters appearing in late spring. Highly adaptable and drought-tolerant once established, though it can spread aggressively through root suckers.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Black Locust grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Black locust establishes faster than most nitrogen-fixing trees and tolerates poor, compacted, or sandy soils where other species struggle. It produces abundant nectar valued by beekeepers and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, making it useful in restoration plantings or as a pioneer species for degraded land. Compared to slower-growing native legumes, it offers rapid canopy cover and soil improvement, though at the cost of less structural longevity than harder hardwoods.
Watch out for
The wood is relatively brittle and prone to storm damage as trees age, so avoid planting near structures in high-wind zones. Dense shade and allelopathic compounds in leaf litter can suppress undergrowth, limiting diversity in established stands. Thinning and management are often needed to prevent crowding and to maintain access as the tree matures.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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