OF Ohio 



79 



COMMON LOCUST 



Robinia Pseudo-Acacia, Linnaeus 



THE Common Locust, also called Black Locust, Yellow 

 Locust, and Acacia, is a valuable, and when in full 

 bloom, a beautiful forest tree. It is unquestionably the best- 

 known American pod-bearing tree. 



The leaves are alternate, 8 to 14 inches long, compound, 

 with 7 to 21 leaflets. 

 Leaflets are usually odd in 

 number, short-stalked, 1 

 to 2 inches long. 



The flowers appear in 

 May or June, arc cream- 

 white, fragrant, resemble a 

 pea blossom, are arranged 

 in drooping clusters 4 to 5 

 inches long. The fruit is 

 a small, dark-brown, thin 

 pod, 2 to 4 inches long, 

 j4 of an inch wide, con- 

 tains 4 to 8 small brown 

 seeds. The bark on both 

 young and old trunks is 

 reddish-brown, b e comes 

 thick, deeply furrowed. 



The twigs arc stout, brit- 

 tle, greenish to reddish- 

 brown, bear two short 

 spines at each node. The 

 buds are small, imbedded 

 in bark, and 3 to 4 occur 

 above each other. The 

 wood is yellowish-brown, 

 very heavy, hard and dur- 

 able. It is used for posts, insulator pins, ties, fuel and ship- 

 building. 



The Common Locust is found from the mountains of 

 Pennsylvania, south to Georgia, west to Iowa and Kansas. 

 It occurs locally throughout Ohio and is abundant in the 

 southeastern part of the State. A large number of thrifty 

 groves occur throughout the State. Locally it has escaped 

 cultivation. The most vigorous growth is made on moist 

 fertile soil. In youth it is a rather attractive tree, especially 

 when in full bloom. Its valuable wood and rapid growth 

 recommend it for planting, especially where the Locust Borer 

 need not be feared. 



COMMON LOCUST 



One-fourth natural size. 

 Twig sections, enlarged. 



