Robinia pseudoacacia, famed for fenceposts
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| Robinia pseudoacacia, by Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) |
The following paragraphs were published in the magazine, Scientific American (Volume 2, Issue 16), on January 9, 1847. The first part talks about the strength of black locust wood when used in wheels, and the final sentences talk about its resistance to rot.
The following notes relative to the duration of the locust wood (Robinia pseudo acacia,) have been made by M. Pepin, Jardin du Roi, Paris :
A number of trees were felled that had been planted from 40 to 50 years; but not more than one to five of those wheelwrights [makers of wheels] who came to purchase, appreciated sufficiently the locust, the others preferring elm.
Ultimately the locust was sold to the persons who knew its value, at one third higher price than the elm. The purchasers found that spokes made of the wood in question lasted two sets of felloes [wheel rims], and were likely to answer for a third. Under equal circumstances of wear and tear, spokes made of locust wood were perfectly sound, while those of oak required to be replaced.
Black locust posts. Image by Flikr user
Putneypics, who states that this fence was
probably made in the 1950s (60 years ago.)
M. Pepin further states that the ends of locust gate posts which had been in the soil for
upwards of forty years were still not decayed.
This sort of wood employed as feet or supports to chests made of oak, proved sound, although the oak plank in contact with them had been thrice renewed; but oak supports decayed simultaneously with the oak planks composing the chests. Vine props of locust wood are greatly esteemed.
Black locust fenceposts enjoy a reputation of unusual durability to this day. Farmers in some areas have even planted locust groves in order to sell fenceposts. Since the black locust grows 2 to 3 feet per year and sends up suckers from its roots, a small grove could supply a lot of posts.
The trees are extremely vulnerable to damage from locust borers and other insects, so their wood is not often suitable for lumber. It is primarily used for railroad ties and (yes) fenceposts. It also makes great firewood, burning nearly as hot as coal.
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| A small black locust stand grows in a pasture near my home |
.jpg "Black locust blossoms") |
| Black locust blossoms photographed by Flikr user Rasbak |
A young black locust colony, mixed with sassafras, grows in our neighbor's milk-cow pasture along our lane. In spring, the fragrance of the locust blossoms is heavenly.
2 comments -- please add yours:
I have a huue one in my fornt yard
and has the identifying seed pods
but are of a "helicopter " variety
that twirl as they drop.
Do I have the right tree? Flowers and leaves are as decribed as are thorns. I love the tree as it has a bright shade of small green all summer with many,many white small flowers that bloom right after its' leaves appear.
It is possible that you have a honey locust, not a black locust. I suspect this because:
1. You mention the size of the tree. The honey locust is generally a wide-spreading tree, but the black locust is quite narrow and spare.
2. When I compare internet photos of the seed pods of both trees, the honey locust pods often seem to have a little twist to them that might make them twirl as they drop. The black locust pods seem to be quite straight in most photos.
Honey locusts usually have much longer thorns than black locusts. Black locust thorns would usually be less than an inch long, but big honey locust thorns can be 3 or 4 inches long.
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