Botanical name:                  Robinia pseudoacacia

Family:                                   Leguminosae

Common Name:                   False acacia, Black locust

Habitat and Distribution:

The False acacia or black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, is native to the central and eastern United States. It is widely planted in temperate climates around the world where it has naturalized in some places including parts of the Pacific Northwest of the USA and south-western Europe. Common in city streets and parks.

The Latin name 'Robinia' honours a French gardener, Jean Robin, who introduced the tree from N. America about 1600.

Description:

A medium-sized deciduous tree typically 12-15 metres (40-50 ft) tall, but can be up to 25 metres (80ft). An upright tree with a somewhat narrow crown that is widest near the top, the branching is upright to irregular (many consider the branching to be unique and picturesque), the trunk is long and straight.

The leaves are 15-20 cm (6-8 in) long and possess 7 to 19 leaflets which are elliptic in shape and are a dark, dull, blue-green colour.

Racemes of pea-like flowers, 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long, very fragrant, creamy white in colour are borne in early summer. These are relatively showy.

The fruit is a flat pod, 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long which matures in October and persists as dry brown fruits

The bark is a dark grey with distinctive, heavy, rope-like ridges.

Location within the arboretum:

The specimen is to be found in the north eastern corner of the old entrance gate area.

Furniture Makers Trees at The Arboretum - Kew at Castle Howard

Timber:

The timber is hard, highly durable and golden brown in colour.

Uses:

The timber is used for cabinet work and is sliced for veneers.

In its normal range the timber is used extensively for fence posts, wooden pegs, and ships timbers. It is also planted widely for wind breaks and erosion control projects. It is a good choice for natural landscapes and wildlife landscapes as the seeds are eaten by many species of birds and bees have a preference for the fragrant flowers. This tree is useful in land reclamation and as a temporary tree to stabilize and enrich the soil while longer lived but slower growing species establish themselves.

The black locust and especially its cultivars, are commonly used as ornamentals both inside and outside of its normal range.

 

 

September 2005

Leaf

Bark

Flowers

Mature seed pods

Cross section

Bowl turned from Robinia burr

Turned mushrooms