Black Locust Tree

Black locust tree for sale here means Robinia pseudoacacia, the fast native that fixes its own nitrogen and hangs sweet-smelling white flower clusters in late spring. Bare-root trees ship in 6-12 inch, 12-18 inch, 1-2 foot and 2-3 foot sizes, in packs of 100, 500 and 1000, and they go to windbreak and reclamation planters, fence-post growers, beekeepers and other wholesale buyers.

Black Locust Tree Size, Zones and Sun

Black locust shoots up, topping out at 30 to 50 feet with a crown 20 to 35 feet across. Zones 3 to 9 suit it, in full sun or light shade. Soil is rarely an issue: clay, loam, sand or thin ground, acidic or alkaline. Just keep it out of a spot that stays soggy, because it wants water to drain away.

Black Locust Flowers, Pods and Bark

For a couple of weeks in late spring the whole tree hangs with sweet-smelling white flower clusters, and the bees find them fast. After that, long flat brown pods (2 to 4 inches) take over and many rattle on into winter. The trunk is gray and deeply furrowed, almost like braided rope. Split a log and you'll see why people cut it for posts, since the heartwood barely rots.

Black Locust and Pollinators

Bees work the flowers hard when they open, and the tree hosts silver-spotted skipper and clouded sulphur caterpillars. Our guide to black locust for landscapes covers how buyers put it to use.

Where to Plant Black Locust

It earns its keep on poor, dry or eroded ground where other trees struggle, and because it fixes nitrogen it helps the soil around it. Windbreaks, field edges, slopes, old pasture and reclaimed sites all suit it. Space trees 8 to 10 feet apart for a block planting or 20 feet or more for a single row. For more ideas, see these low-water landscape uses for black locust.

Planting Black Locust Bare-root

Soak the roots for an hour and dig a hole wide enough to spread them. Set the tree at the depth it grew, firm the soil and water deeply. Mulch a ring around the base and water weekly through the first summer. Hold off on pruning until after the tree has leafed out, since spring cuts tend to bleed sap.

Buying Black Locust Trees in Bulk

At 10 by 10 feet, about 436 trees fill an acre, so a pack of 500 covers one. A pack of 100 is plenty for a windbreak or a long fence line. The 6-12 and 12-18 inch sizes are easy to plant at scale, and the 1-2 and 2-3 foot trees take off faster.

Good to Know About Black Locust

Black locust spreads by root suckers, so give it room and mow around it if you want a clean edge. Branches carry paired thorns near the leaf scars, so wear gloves when you handle it. The bark, leaves and seeds are toxic if eaten, so keep livestock from chewing them, and plant away from roofs and drives, since branches can snap in strong storms. Locust borer is the main insect to watch, and a healthy tree in full sun copes best. Check local planting guidance too, since it is listed as invasive in parts of the Midwest.

Black Locust for Windbreaks and Posts

Growers plant black locust in rows for windbreaks and in lots for fence posts, stakes and firewood, since it grows fast, burns hot and lasts outdoors. A planting thinned after the first few years leaves straight trunks to keep.

Black Locust Tree Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Black locust trees ship bare-root in November, in 6-12 inch, 12-18 inch, 1-2 foot and 2-3 foot sizes, in packs of 100, 500 and 1000. Volume pricing available. Browse more wholesale trees for sale.