Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Government Way island at Summit Avenue

Black Locust is an "alley-cat" type tree which can survive under the toughest conditions. It is good for strip-mined areas, highway cuts and fills, and sandy, poor soils. It is not recommended for the home landscape but definitely has a place on large properties or difficult areas. The flowers are exceedingly fragrant from which bees produce a delicious honey.

It is an upright tree becoming ragged and scraggly with age, often with great character.

Nominated by: Larry Strobel