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sharp spines; leaves odd-pinnate, 1.5-3 dm. (6-12 inches) long; 
flowers in loose racemes, white, very fragrant, flowering season May 
or June; fruit a pod about 7 cm. (3 inches) long, smooth. 
Distribution. Along the mountains from Pennsylvania south to 
Georgia and again appearing in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. 
It is doubtful if it was native to the State.* It has been cultivated 
and has escaped in all parts of Indiana. A medium sized tree, 
sometimes attaining a height of 25 m. (80 feet) and a meter (39 
inches) in diameter. 
The published records of the distribution are as follows: Clark 
(Baird and Taylor); Daviess (Clements) and (Hessler); Dearborn 
(Collins); Decatur (Ballard); Delaware, Jay, Randolph and Wayne 
(Phinney); Franklin (Meyncke); Gibson (Schneck); Jefferson (Coul- 
ter) and (Young); Knox (Thomas); Marion (Douglas); Miami 
(Gorby); vicinity of New Albany (Clapp); Noble (Van Gorder); 
Posey (Schneck); Putnam (MacDougal); Shelby (Ballard); Steu- 
ben (Bradner); Vigo (Blatchley); Wayne (Petry and Markle). 
Additional records are: Montgomery (Evans) and (Thompson); 
Putnam (Grimes) and (Lewis and Bridges); Tippecanoe (Coulter) 
and (Dorner); Bartholomew, Franklin, Hamilton, Johnson, Laporte, 
Montgomery, Steuben and Wells (Deam). 
Economic uses. Wood heavy, very hard, close-grained, takes a 
good polish, sap wood yellow, heart wood light brown and very 
durable in contact with the soil. Used principally for fence posts 
and crossties. 
Horticultural value. This tree was formerly extensively used for 
ornamental planting. The homes of many of the pioneers have a 
row of these trees from a half to a meter (19-39 inches) in diameter 
growing in front of their door. Groups of these trees in fields and 
along roadsides mark the location of the cabins of the old pioneers. 
The chief charm of the tree is the fragrance of its blossoms. The 
ornamental value is much lessened by the late appearance and the 
early falling of the leaves. 
The tree is now used principally in forestry planting. It is adapted 
to all kinds of soil except a muck soil. It grows rapidly in a sandy 
and well drained soil. It is one of the most resistant to drought 
of any of our trees and for this reason is recommended for reforesting 
the steep and rocky hillsides of southern Indiana. It shows a 
rapid and healthy growth where many other species are not able 
*“We had gazed at the majestic beech of this country (near Rising Sun) three feet in diameter; 
we had seen the honey locust, the black walnut, a buckeye of equal magnitude; and then we saw with 
surprise, the black locust almost a rival in stature.’’ (Thomas’ Western Travels, page 111, published 
in 1819). 
