Robinia Species, Black Locust, False Acacia

I hate these trees. Granted, they smell beautiful when they flower in the spring, but my trees are very old (100+) and are prone to spew...Read More limbs all over the yard when it storms. The trees have holes in them which are very attractive to starlings who use them for nesting. Ugh. If they didn't provide so much shade around the house, I'd cut every single one of them down!

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is considered invasive by the Minnesota DNR
"Ecological Threat:

* Invades prima...Read Morerily disturbed habitats, degraded wood, thickets and old fields crowding out native vegetation of prairies, oak savannas and upland forests, forming single species stands.
* It reproduces vigorously by root suckering and stump sprouting forming a common connecting root system.
* It is native to the U.S. and occurs naturally on the lower Appalachian mountain slopes. It has been extensively planted for its nitrogen-fixing qualities and its hard wood."

One of the most beautiful trees when in flower. Also, the foliage gives the tree a tropical appearance. If grown in a forest setting, th...Read Moree tree is less likely to succumb to locust borers.

Yellow False Acacia, Black Locust, Yellow Locust Robinia pseudoacacia, is native to Texas and other States.

The flower clusters make outstanding fritters. In addition, an infusion made from the flowers can be combined with lemon juice, sugar and...Read More Surejell to make a pleasant jelly. The infusion is pale yellow-green and bland smelling. When the lemon juice is added, it turns pale pink and becomes somewhat aromatic. CAUTION: THE ROOTS, BARK, LEAVES AND SEEDS ARE POISINOUS.

Fast grower. Wonderful smelling showy flowers...heavenly scented. Nice shade tree. Leaves dont cause much raking headaches in autumn as t...Read Morehey are fairly small. Very picturesque tree in all seasons. Winter silhouette is very oriental in look. Common tree yet unique. Can get to 80 feet tall in a good location. Can be invasive in certain areas.

I find this tree to be rather invasive.

This tree is pretty much known world-wide in temperate zones. The hard, durable wood is used for high quality fence posts, as they do not...Read More rot easily.

Young shoots can be poisionous to livestock, but the seeds are eaten by a great number of wildlife. Pheasents and doves to rabbits and deer make use of the seeds.

May be grown to zone 4, according to some sources. Flowers are fragrant and appear in June. It is happy in nearly any soil conditions. ...Read More Can grow to a height of 75'.