Melinda Myers

Black Locust

Botanical Name

Robinia pseudoacacia

Min Zone

4

Max Zone

8

Height

30 to 50 feet

Width

20 to 35 feet

Flowers

Spring: white, pendulous, sweetly fragrant

Fruit

Flat pod

Fall Color

Yellow-green

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, alkaline

Planting & Care

• Tolerates intermittent flooding and drought
• Salt tolerant
• Transplants easily
• Prune in late summer to avoid bleeding

Problems

Locust borer, canker, insects, invasive nature

Varieties

• Bessoniana - thornless, 30 by 20 feet
• Tortuosa - 10 feet, twisted branches and stems, few flowers
• Purple Robe - rose-pink flowers, 40 feet