Native Trees of Kentucky 95 



Black Locust Robinia psciidac 



The Black Locust, known also as Yellow Locust, is found 

 generally throughout the State, although it attains its best devel- 

 opment in limestone soil. As lumber in many of the industries 

 is desirable from immature trees, and as Black Locust turns its 

 sap wood quickly into heart wood, a plantation of these trees will 

 bring a larger income on poor land, with less labor, than any other 

 crop. Seeds may be sown even in the pod ; they germinate the 

 second year, and so rapid is the growth that, in ten years, small 

 poles may be cut for vineyards and fence posts. In forty-five 

 years the poles make superior railroad ties and telegraph poles 

 because of the durability of the wood in contact with the soil. 

 As the extensive root system sends up numerous sprouts and the 

 trees plant and prune themselves, a plantation will bear a profit- 

 able annual harvest. 



The wood is sold in the lumber market for tree-nails, ribs of 

 vessels, insular shanks, vehicles and fuel. 



Lumber men say that if Black Locust saplings are cut when 

 the sap is full, the bark stripped immediately, and the poles dried 

 rapidly, the wood is practically immune from ravages of the 

 borer, which has damaged its reputation as a timber product. 



The masses of perfect, pendent, fragrant white flowers, the 

 delicate, silvery foliage drooping in cloudy weather or at the ap- 

 proach of evening, make the young Locust a highly ornamental 

 tree. 



Tree tall, slender ; trunk dividing near ground in the open ; 

 branches often contorted. 



Bark dark gray, deeply furrowed. 



Leaves 8 to 14 inches long, leaflets small, sensitive to changes 

 in temperature. 



Fruit pods 2 to 4 inches long, purplish, persistent all winter. 



