Locust, (genus Robinia), genus of about 10 species of flowering trees and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae), occurring in eastern North America and Mexico. Several locust trees are cultivated as ornamentals, especially the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), often called false acacia, or yellow locust..
Also asked, why are they called locust trees?
The tree gets its name from the sweet, sticky pulp it produces. Alternatively, the tree is known as the "thorny" locust due to the spines or thorns that it bears on wood of its main trunk or the base of its branches.
One may also ask, do locust trees have pods? Varieties and Types of Locust Trees Native honey locust trees have long thorns and an awkward, upright growth pattern. These trees also produce brown seed pods.
Likewise, people ask, where are locust trees found?
The black locust is native to the eastern United States, but the exact native range is not accurately known as the tree has been cultivated and is currently found across the continent, in all the lower 48 states, eastern Canada, and British Columbia.
How can you tell the difference between a honey locust and a black locust?
One can also tell the two trees apart by just looking at the bark. The black locust's bark is dark in colour with grooves that resemble an intertwining rope. The honey locust's bark is brown or grey in colour and the tree has  bunches of thorns. Both the black and honey locust have smooth, thin, shiny seedpods.
Related Question Answers
What is a honey locust tree look like?
Honey Locust Growing from 40 to 80 feet tall, the trunk and larger branches bear stout, branched thorns up to 20 inches long which can cause serious injury. Individual leaflets on the pinnately compound leaves are about 1 inch long, and the compound leaves are 7 to 8 inches long.Do locust trees have deep roots?
It is a common misconception that tree roots grow very deep in the soil. Most tree roots are found in the top 6 to 18 inches of soil. As the tree grows in height and diameter, so do the roots, which eventually brings them to the surface.Are locust trees messy?
Honey-locust, showy catalpa, shagbark hickory, and red oak Honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos, family Fabaceae) in its native condition is a tree that can offend in many ways. Its trunk and branches are beset with dangerous thorns, and it drops flat belt-like pods on the ground.How many different kinds of locust trees are there?
Though there are more than 20 species of locust trees, two species are very popular. They are black locust and honey locust trees.Do all locust trees have thorns?
Locust trees are simply described as deciduous trees that produce long, compound leaves, each of which has the ability to sprout a total of 21 leaflets. There are many of its species that are often armed with thorns which are typically almost three inches in length.How often do locust trees bloom?
The flowers of the black locust appear for a very limited time frame, between 7-10 days in late May or June.Is black locust a good firewood?
Black locust firewood is a prized firewood choice. In fact many people choose to burn black locust over other common favorites like ash or oak. Black locust produces a lot of heat, or BTU's when you burn it. The wood is easy to split, burns slowly and creates a nice, long lasting bed of hot coals.What eats black locust?
Seeds of the black locust are eaten by northern bobwhite quail, mourning dove, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, eastern cottontail, and squirrels. White-tailed deer also eat the leaves and twigs. Many animals use this tree for cover.What is black locust good for?
Common Uses: Fence posts, boatbuilding, flooring, furniture, mine timbers, railroad ties, turned objects, and veneer. Comments: Black Locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with Hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance.Do locust thorns have poison?
All parts of a black locust are extremely toxic and can cause severe stomach pain or death in children, pets and livestock if eaten. The leaves are also toxic, but in addition to thorn toxicity is the problem of extreme pain when swallowing thorns that grow up to 2 inches long.Where is the black locust located?
Black locust is native to the southeastern United States, but has been widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in temperate North America, Europe and Asia. The original range of the locust is in the Appalachian, Ozark and Ouachita range located in the middle mountains of Eastern North America.Is black locust expensive?
Black locust is considered to be the most valuable of the five locusts which grow naturally in North America.What is Locust fruit?
The Stinking Toe fruit, otherwise known as the Locust fruit or Jatobá, is the fruit of the West Indian Locust, the largest tree in the Caribbean. The fruit is contained within a large brown pod that is shaped somewhat like a toe. Within the shell is a cream-colored, powdery flesh surrounding an average of 3 to 6 seeds.What was the locust John the Baptist ate?
Now John himself wore clothing. made of camel's hair, with a. leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.How do you grow a locust tree from seed?
Fill a pot with high-quality potting mix. Honey locusts like moist soil, so be sure that the soil is watered well. Plant the seeds, giving them enough room grow (about three inches apart). Plant them at a depth of about one half inch, and cover them in soil.Will black locust grow in Florida?
The tree grows on a variety of sites ranging from moist slopes to dry soils, preferring sandy or rocky soil. It is found in old fields, open areas, streamsides, woods, and along roadsides and fencerows. Black locust is shade intolerant and does very well in disturbed areas.Do black locust trees bloom every year?
Black Locust blooms prolifically although not every year. Trees go through a cycle of buildup over 3 or so years with a massive bloom and subsequent large seedcrop in the peak year.. This is greatly affected by the weather the previous year.Will Roundup kill locust trees?
Glyphosate (trade name Roundup) can be foliar-sprayed on black locust leaves as a control when trees are actively growing. While the Roundup label recommends a 50- to 100-percent concentration of herbicide for stump treatment, a 20-percent concentration has proven effective.Do all locust trees bloom?
Members of the pea family, locust trees produce large clusters of pea-like flowers that bloom in spring, followed by long pods. Growing locust trees is easy and they adapt well to lawn and street conditions. 
