Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia - €11 per plant

Black locust is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree that is native to North America. This member of the pea and bean family (Leguminosae) has now naturalised  in many parts of Europe.  Its hanging clusters of scented, white flowers are well loved by bees that produce an excellent "Acacia" honey. The timber is very hard and rot resistant, making fine fence posts and round wood material.  Its a good tree for establishing on degraded land. It can become invasive due to its prolific seed production, and it also spreads by suckering from the roots. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region:Eastern N. America. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe.
  • native habitat: Dry, sandy and rocky habitats; scrub and woodland margins and roadsides; widely cultivated as an ornamental tree in streets and parks.
  • family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae


Predators

  • Foliage browsed by cattle and deer

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun 
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
  • Prefers well drained soil
  • Best grown in an open sunny site.

Known hazards 

  • The plant contains potentially toxic compounds

Overview

  • Deciduous Tree growing to 20m  by 15m at a medium rate
  • It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November.
  •  The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
  • It cannot grow in the shade.
  •  It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
  • It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Characteristics

  • form: Standard Tree  
  • layer : Upper Canopy 
  • habit: Vigorous growing, pioneer specie
  • height x width (m): 20 x 15
  • years to bearing flowers : 9   
  • productive life span: 10-15 yrs to reach good timber size and than 8yr coppice cycle for the nest 25-30 yrs

Products 

  • Leaf: High in nitrogen content makes a great mulch and livestock fodder. 
  • Seeds: Coffee substitute ,edible
  • Flower Cluster: Edible and used to make a syrup.   
  • Wood: Very durable and rot resistant, good for posts and beams in construction

Functions, behaviours

  • Easy to propagate by seed
  • Sends up suckers
  • Trees can also be coppiced on longer rotations for use as poles or fire wood.
  • Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
  • The flowers are very attractive to bees
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project