Black Locust-Robinia pseudoacacia

Think About It

By just looking at the Black Locust tree you would never guess the whirlwind surrounding it.

Its critics consider it to be an invasive species to all but a specific part of the United States. It is difficult to remove, a disruptor of oak savannahs and native prairies, and it leaves are toxic to horses. In fact, several states have taken action to ban the planting or selling of the tree.

Its proponents argue the Black Locust is an important source of food for honeybees, creates rot-resistant wood, helps vegetables by supplying important nitrogen, and grows well under almost any condition. It also makes excellent burning firewood and is one of the few woods that will burn even if wet.

Despite the disagreements, proponents and critics agree on one thing – this tree needs boundaries. It needs to be actively pruned and managed or this tree will become a problem that will take years to resolve.

In that way this tree is a bit like our own lives. We each have aspects of our life that are healthy and fulfilling while other areas are filled with bad habits and negative behaviors that become so difficult to remove. How important then to make sure we are open to God’s own pruning and guidance for our lives!

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Black Locust-Robinia pseudoacacia, 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. Flowers are showy, white, and fragrant, in drooping clusters about 6 inches long. The fruit are flat legumes 3 to 4 inches long. Black Locust wood is useful for lumber, paper pulp, posts and fuel. Considered a medium sized, suckering, deciduous tree that grows to 30 to 50 feet tall.