Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001258
11/12/99

Robinia pseudoacacia--Black Locust


Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Height: 40 ft Spread: 25 ft Form: oval
Type: deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate: more than 18 inches
Flowers: White

Comments: Black Locust is hard wooded, grows best in a
sunny location and tolerates any soil that isn't swampy.
This hardy tree is a legume and has a suckering root
system that forms thickets if not controlled. The
fragrant, white flowers appear after the leaves and are
borne in drooping clusters. The fruit is a brown pod and
the bark (Vis. 5) is coarse and fissured.

Cultivars:
'Bessoniana' - A thornless cultivar with a compact oval
form (Vis. 1) that will be 30 feet tall and 20 feet
wide.
'Frisia' - The tree has bright yellow summer foliage
color (Vis. 2).
'Inermis' - A rounded tree with thornless branches.
'Lacy Lady' (Twisty Baby TM) - This 8-foot tall plant
has crooked stems (Vis. 3) and curled foliage.
'Purple Robe' - The new growth is purplish and the
flowers are dark purple (Vis. 4).
'Pyramidalis' - This cultivar is tall, narrow, and
spineless. The plant will be 40 feet tall but only
15 feet wide.
'Tortuosa' - The branches are twisted, usually grated on
a standard.
'Umbraculifera' (Globe Locust) - A dense, globe shaped
head on a tree only 12 feet tall and wide, rarely
flowers.

References for Cultivars: J. Frank Schmidt and Son 1999,
Bailey Nurseries 1999, Monrovia Nursery Company 1997,
Carlton Plants 1999.


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