Locust (Robinia)

This genus is not native to Oregon and is currently not fully described on this website. Settlers took black locust all over the United States because it was vigorous in harsh growing conditions, grew fast (to provide homesteads shade and windbreaks), and is a pretty tree with fragrant flowers.

• Leaves: Pinnately compound (never doubly-pinnately compound), with leaflets about thumbprint-sized leaves (gives the foliage a feathery appearance); deciduous and alternate.
• Flowers: Pea-like and white.
• Fruit: Short, light brown seed pods (about 3 inches).
• Twigs: Two sharp spines occur at the base of every compund leaf.
• Wood: strong and durable, great for fenceposts, even without treating the wood with a preservative

For more information on this tree, check here:

Dendrology at Virginia Tech: Searchable Fact Sheets

USDA Forest Service: Silvics of North American Tree Species