Common Names: locust, black locust, false acacia, salcam, robinia
Short Description: The tree can grow from 65 to 100 ft tall with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 ft. As the wood of the locust ages, it darkens to a russet brown hue. Due to its strength and weathering abilities, locust is used in many outdoor applications.
Country of Origin: temperate regions in the world; central eastern United States; southern Ontario, British Columbia, and east to Nova Scotia
Color: greenish yellow to dark brown heartwood (first finished); white to yellowish sapwood
Janka Scale Hardness: 1700 lb f (7560 N)
Dried Average Weight: 48 lbs/ft 3 (770 kg/m 3 )
Common Uses: furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, fences, mine timbers, railroad ties, fuel wood
What Is Locust Wood?
The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a deciduous tree, which makes it a hardwood. It is medium-sized and endemic to some areas of the United States. However, it also grows in other parts of North America and some temperate regions.
Locust wood is known for its density, stability, and rot-resistant properties. Workability can be challenging, given its hardness and density. It is a challenge to use nails and screws unless drilled with pilot holes. But it does respond well to steam bending and lathe turning. Live edge locust is easy to glue and finish.
How to Differentiate Black Locust from Honey Locust?
Many people are confused between the black and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). The two kinds of wood are different and come from different families. You can identify black locusts from honey because the former tend to be heavier and harder than the latter. Black locust also has a green or yellow tinge as opposed to a honey locust’s orange or red tint.
Is Locust a Good Option for Outdoor Furniture?
Yes, black locust makes excellent outdoor furniture. Thanks to its weathering ability, it can withstand sun, rain, snow, and oxygen exposures. The wood develops a silvery gray patina as it weathers over time.
Black locust is often used in making fence posts, railroad ties, and mine timbers. It is also used in shipbuilding as insulator pins and tree nails.
FAQs
Is locust expensive?
The price of live edge locust depends on the location and its grade. It is graded by the NHLA (National Hardwood Lumber Association) rules. In general, the prices of locust slabs are midrange and may compare to the costs of white oak.
Is locust the same as acacia?
No, it is not. Black locust is referred to as the “false acacia.” But, it is in no way related or closely related to the true acacia tree.
Can black locusts cause allergies?
Severe reactions to the black locust wood species are uncommon. The United States Department of Agriculture noted that the bark, leaves, flowers, and seed pods of locusts are poisonous when consumed. When reactions occur, it may lead to eye and skin irritation, as well as nausea.
What does live edge locust smell like?
Live edge locust does not have a distinctive smell.
How valuable is black locust wood?
A locust is a highly valued wood species because of its durability. It can last for more than 50 years. Due to its anti-fungal, rot-resistant, and weathering properties, black locust maintains its beautiful appearance as it ages.
Where to Buy Locust
Are you looking for live edge locust slabs?
Look no further! You can get your pieces from us at Alderfer Lumber Company Inc. We have premium-grade slabs that are sustainably sourced and treated with the utmost care from transport to storage. Check our inventory of wood slabs online now!
If you don’t know what you are looking for, give us a call or email us your specific live edge slab requirements so we can check our stock in the warehouse.
