Black Locust

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)    Black locust is an interesting tree and there are many reasons why you may wish to grow them. For one the wood is very rot resistant and commonly used as fence posts.  Some folks are testing black locust boards against treated lumber and finding that locust is at least comparable if not longer lasting. The rot resistance of black locust is insane. Black locust wood is also extremely hard, harder than white oak. It has been noted by some folks to be particularly hard on drill bits and saws.    This species is in the legume family and therefore is able to pair with rhizobium bacteria in the soil to fix nitrogen. Some, but not all, black locust seedlings produce  thorns. The trees also sucker regularly allowing them to create a dense thicket. This can be easily controlled by mowing.   Livestock adore the leaves and will happily snack on any limbs you cut for them. These trees respond well to coppicing and grow back with vigor. It is also important to