Trees of Alabama and the Southeast Home Page

Leaves are pinnately compound, alternate, and deciduous with 7-25 leaflets that are 1/2-2 inches long. Twigs are stout with paired stipular spines at each node. Bark is light brown becoming deeply furrowed with corky prominent ridges. Flowers are white, fragrant, pea-like and showy. Fruit is a legume, 2-4 inches long. Black locust is found on a variety of sites in open areas in the east and central US.  Intolerant of shade.  The heavy wood is used for pulp and railroad ties.  Cultivars are available for landscaping.

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All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form.  All photographs are copyrighted by the named photographer(s), text copyright by Lisa Samuelson. © 2005, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan.