Locust Trees
Locust trees are made up of the genus Robinia & Gleditsia, which are part of the Fabaceae family, which is the Pea family. These types of locust trees are rapid-growing and deciduous. Locust trees are native to the central and eastern United States but have been naturalized in parts of the Pacific northwest and parts of Europe as well. The Black Locust has a showy white bloom that flowers in spring or summer that turns into brown seed pods. These seed pods attract all forms of wildlife ranging from squirrel, turkey, and deer in the south to elk and chipmunk in the north.
The wood of the Black Locust carries a natural resistance to rot and is commonly used for fence posts or railing but historically was used in shipbuilding. Beekeepers find locust trees especially attractive due to the delectable honey that is created from its flowers. The pulp of honey locust trees has a sweet taste and Native Americans once used it as a source of food and the wood can be used to make biofuel. As nitrogen fixing plants, they create their own nitrogen, removing the need to use chemical fertilizer.
Flowers from locust trees are usually white or pink. Locust trees are affected by canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew which are all easily controlled with routine fungicide applications. They grow best in a soil pH of 6.0 – 7.0 and in USDA zones 4 – 10. Willis Orchards offers various sizes in the following varieties: Black Locust,
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Locust Trees
Locust trees are highly versatile and thrive throughout the entire United States. The most widely used landscaping variety is the thornless honey locust with is beautiful white pendulum of blooms in early Summer and its graceful form as an attractive street tree in urban areas. However, the Purple Robe Locust is gaining notoriety, offering its unique purple pods of blooms to contract its white blooming cousins. Nature lovers will cherish the black locust not only for its fine white blossoms but for its abundant crop of seeds that fall to the forest floor, feeding squirrels, turkey, deer, and other animals. Locust Trees are great for landscape specimens or for naturalizing wooded areas. Willis Orchard Company can supply any size or quantity of locust trees you request.
Locust trees absolutely love the sun and grow quickly in areas with no shade. They will typically grow between 40 and 70 feet tall, though some specimens have been found to be over 100 feet tall, with a typical spread of 25 to 35 feet, and grow at a rate of about 3 feet a year. Some species of locust have thorns in pairs on the juvenile growth so make sure you wear proper protection and pay close attention when dealing with those particular species. Browse our locust tree varieties to add to your home orchard! Choose Willis Orchards for quality locust trees for sale.