Robinia pseudoacacia

Black Locust is native to the eastern United States. While not native to southern Ontario, it has been extensively planted there, often in areas with degraded soil, since Black Locust is a legume and fixes its own nitrogen. It produces fragrant, showy white flowers in the spring that are very attractive to bees. Seeds are produced in pods. It also often reproduces by root sprouts. The wood is dark, dense and very resistant to decay. Leaves are compound and twigs have small rose-like thorns. It is commonly attacked by the locust borer which reduces suitability of the wood for many end uses as well as suitability of the tree for landscape planting.

Diameter: 148 cm

Circumference: 466 cm

Height: 24 m

*diameter and circumference measured at breast height – 1.3 m above the ground

Address: 81003 River Line, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh

UTM Coordinates: E0453337, N4839275

Notes: The tree is located on private land but can be viewed from the adjacent road allowance. The Maitland Trail also travels along this road allowance. This tree is one of the largest black Locusts in Ontario. It was formerly listed in the Honour Roll of Ontario Trees before they stopped listing trees not native to Ontario.

Submitted by: Steve Bowers & Donna Taylor Date measured: October 20, 2008