Disease, pests, and problem resistance. He said the color came from the baking process that increased the woods resdistance to insects and rot. I have 50 acres in central PA. Black Cherry, Red Maple, Mulberry, Alanthus, Black Walnut and Black Locust pop up like weeds everywhere. The black locust is the most durable American wood for ground contact, and it is what is used to line the beds at the Colonial Garden in Williamsburg. Use the “claim” button to reserve one or more slabs. The wood takes stain well and once the moisture level gets down to 6% it machinabilty is excellent.The biggest problem is drying the wood to prevent warpage. As a young man, President Abraham Lincoln used to split rails from locust trees. Black locust wood also has high BTU rating, making it an efficient fuel for traditional heating system like fireplace and woodstove. Annals of Botany, 79(5):473-478; 36 ref. I find that working and sanding the raw wood does not irritate eyes or skin as much as teak does, but it does irritate the nasal passages, and also causes something almost like a mild case of asthma – constriction in the bronchial tubes. Bugs however can get into black locust although it’s a last resort. Color/Appearance: Color can range from a pale greenish-yellow to a darker brown. Coppice. I am planning on making a 10 – 12 ft. long chisel ( actually i will be attaching a chisel to one end ). See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Black locust guitar back with nice figure and chatoyance, and it sounded great. Black Locust is a safe, environmentally friendly alternative to Pressure Treated and Tropical Hardwoods. Black Locust vs. Other Wood. Black Locust was the early settlers’ wood choice. He is concerned that the wood may be poisonous to them. Black Locust grows faster than any other known hardwood tree. The early settlers and the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, they had a saying….” Black Locust was harder than granite!” With the historical dating proving that black locust wood will … A plentiful renewable resource that is well suited for all outdoor wood uses. It has an oval-shaped crown. A very hard, heavy, strong, stable, and rot-resistant wood, it tends to have a yellow or greenish tinge. In comparison to standard asphalt and concrete ProFlow Permeable Pavers™ are minimally processed during manufacturing, thus CO2 emissions are greatly reduced. Nobody. Native geographic location and habitat. With the historical dating proving that black locust wood will last more than 50+ years, makes this saying an understatement! A pain to work as well. Locust Wood-Locust Lumber is a leader in creating finished wood products like decking, fencing, benches, and more, out of Black Locust wood. Niklas KJ, 1997. Interlocked grain is difficult to plane evenly. Native to eastern and southern parts of the United States. In my experience, ash is the best for counters as it leaves no taste that might alter food, followed… Read more ». I will be hammering from the lower end – maybe with a wood maul – or using it above my head to continuously jab away . However, due to its toxins I would avoid using it for a kitchen counter. The wood tends to have more character and knots than other species of wood, but it can produce wonderful select grade lumber. I live on the old Pennsylvania RR right of way in Indpls. Add-ons. Its heartwood color is medium brown with pale sapwood edges and it tends to darken with age. Black Locust Wood Rods (Robinia pseudoacacia) / For carving, wands, divination, witchcraft, or other magical purposes LittleWitchHerbary. In other areas where the lumber has been imported, the prices can be much higher. Jet: I’ve been thinking about trying black locust as a replacement for pressure treated when rebuilding my own deck. Be aware that it is somewhere near the top of the scale for invasiveness! can apply water mist covered by thin plastic overnight and the “U” warp flattens out. Natural and zero-waste ProFlow Permeable Pavers™ blocks used to … A tree in this condition should have been cut down long ago. In drying, locust hardly shrinks. Grows like a weed — at a height of 25′ you have three 8′ sections to be quartered and the result is 12 fenceposts. Black Ash. Absolutely worth it though. Biology. Mind you, this was just the wood and not the filings or shavings. Some woods seem to have a diminished fluorescence as they age, but age doesn’t seem to affect black locust much…. We help meet this demand through supplying the raw timber to building the finished piece. Personally if it’s for indoor projects, I’d look at some Ash, and I imagine your wife would not object to the look, if she likes Locust. Primarily an ax or hammer handle? Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide, POSTER: Worldwide Woods: Ranked by Hardness. Firewood Types: Black Locust Overall. And how has it weathered? I have a sawmill and every available log I can get I saw. Black locust is the best wood grown in North American, in my opinion. Origin: West Virginia, US. We offer: Free consultations, custom products, prompt delivery, and a unmatched satisfaction guarantee. 2. SLAB CLAIM INSTRUCTIONS. In fact, old telegraph lines still have their original poles sticking out of the ground 150 years later. Firewood Types : Black Locust, also known as False Acacia, is a native North American tree which has some outstanding properties both as lumber and black locust firewood. It’s rot-resistant, so it’s often the chemical-free version of lumber where treated wood might be used. Endgrain: Ring-porous; large earlywood pores 2-3 pores wide, small latewood pores in clusters and tangential bands; tyloses extremely abundant; growth rings distinct; narrow to medium rays barely visible without lens, spacing normal; parenchyma vasicentric, lozenge, and confluent. © Years ago making a deck out of western cedar I had a similar reaction. 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. Finding the right partner in supplying high-quality Black Locust Lumber for your global or local architectural project is crucial. I sprouted 5 seeds a few years back and planted them in a corner of my lot. However, its blooming period is short (about 10 days) and it does not consistently produce a honey crop year after year. A very hard, heavy, strong, stable, and rot-resistant wood, it tends to have a yellow or greenish tinge. Does anyone know where I can obtain more? I love the smell of it. Common Uses: Fence posts, boatbuilding, flooring, furniture, mine timbers, railroad ties, turned objects, and veneer. Hi – I live in Damascus MD and want to buy the black locust logs. Question I have a customer who wants locust fence posts, and claims to have horses that will chew on the fencing. The stiffness (like glass!) I’ve made takedown bows with 30 year old mismatched billets. Black locust is sometimes called yellow locust and grows naturally on a wide range of sites but does best on rich moist limestone soils. Fighting decay, it outlasts white oak. Submit . Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), as it has come to be called, offers superb qualities. Here in western WA, i see scattered black locust trees in right-of-ways typically 3 to 8+ inch dbh that grew from nearby stumps and naturally spread seeds. Does anyone with more wood knowledge than me have any ideas, recommendations or suggestions? I got a low grade nausea and a head ache. Their main goal was to create a uniform … Identification: Black locust is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree, 40- 60’ tall and 30’ wide. This is an amazing web site and it’s sad I just came across it. can’t do the camera But I did a wide plank bl. But they had sent out finger-sized roots 100 feet long, seeking fertile ground and ready to create new trees from any… Read more ». March 31, 2008. Can be confused with Osage Orange and Honey Locust in some instances. In my experience, it will keep its fluorescence even after it has been dried. The coaling ability is also high. Black Locust Lumber, with its durability and longevity makes this process unique. Definitely a different look than cedar or PT. Black Locust tends to be slightly heavier, harder, and with more of a green or yellow tinge, while Honey Locust tends to have a warmer orange or red tint. You only need to burn few logs at a time to produce sufficient heat unit. I found a 3 footer yesterday. We have products for organic agriculture (orchard posts, hops poles, and fencing), building and construction (decking, flooring, siding), custom milled parts (fascia, bench parts, furniture), as well as kiln dried, NHLA graded lumber in … Thus he earned the nickname Rail Splitter. Like Black Locust, Ipe is beautiful and durable wood that can last a lifetime. From shop LittleWitchHerbary. PHOTO: ROY FLANNAGAN Black Locust. Those living in the eastern United States can expect prices to be comparable to White Oak. March 31, 2008. The flowers are considered edible if handled correctly. Black Locust, america's environmentally friendly super tree. The black locust tree, or Robinia pseudoacacia, is a deciduous tree found throughout the southeastern United States, as well as in South Africa, Europe, and Asia.The tree is native to the southeastern United States, but it has been transplanted to other areas of the globe such as Australia, Pakistan, China, Canada, India, Europe, South Africa, Asia, southern South America, and New Zealand. You only need to burn few logs at a time to produce sufficient heat unit. Over the course of a day of milling i realized the i was developing a sensitivity ( allergy) to the wood. Because of its need for minimal maintenance, the black locust is ideal for reclamation projects and roadside planting. These trees are probably 200 years old. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is one of the hardest woods in North America. It’s leaves are awe full to try to clean up since almost year round ( not winter ) they ha e a tendency of falling, and due to their small in nature size they get in the smallest or biggest cracks crevices, clog gutters, create ice damming, stain anything they land on that you don’t remove them from immediately, etc. Size- and age-dependent variation in the properties of sap- and heartwood in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). To help you get an idea for how Black Locust compares to other types of firewood, we’ve put together a graphic below, which provides a snapshot of some of the most common types of firewood in our area (in the Midwest USA), and they are divided into 3 levels of quality. Black locust (robinia pseudoacacia) is America's most versatile hardwood. Pure Tung Oil is a great food grade finish that i like to use on butcher blocks. They haven’t died yet. I am looking quite big quantities of this wood. Thanks. Elevate your evolving architectural design with a sustainable Black Locust Lumber supplier. I’ve cut staves from logs laying on the ground for 2 years and was shooting 54# draw weight 7 days later. They knew that this hardwood could endure the test of time. Contrary to the description above, it has a very peculiar smell that is at first agreeable but soon becomes a bit too pungent /disagreeable. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Black Locust has been reported to cause eye and skin irritation. Black Locust wood has a uniqueness, but it is also a difficult wood to cut, its usage as outdoor pavers is a zero-waste solution in modern architeture. Annals of Botany, 79(5):479-485; 23 ref. However, the assertion that black locust is a pioneering species instead of an invasive species is woefully incorrect. it has 2 more locust monsters coming out of it and measured over 70 ft. 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. Black Locust wood is a naturally rot resistant wood that is replacing treated lumber, and tropical hardwoods in a wide variety of outdoor wood applications. One note of caution: With all its positive attributes you may be tempted to plant Black Locust on your property. The leaves are opposite and composite; each leaf is composed of 7-19 leaflets. Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as the black locust, is a prickly tree within the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family called Fabaceae and is considered to be a legume with flattened pea pods several inches long. I do like the smell of the Black locust blossoms in the spring. Both are 4’+ at the base. I suspect that’s why it lasts so long outdoors without surface treatment, the toxins in the sap kill off mold, mildew, and many bugs. I’m not 100% on the terminology but the coasters I’ve made are cut from stumps where a smaller tree has grown into a larger tree. Like cedar it’s resistant to water because of specialized storage cells that keep moisture from entering. TRIVIA: Unlike the vast majority of wood species, the quality of black locust wood is in an inverse proportion with the quality of the soil; the poorer the soil is, the denser and harder the timber becomes, due to the slow annual growth. And also having the asset of being a legume which reduces the need for fertilizer, and this is just a few things… I have put some info together myself on Black Locust that may complement the interesting info on this site: https://hub.me/aeHwO, When finding a black locust tree, it is recognizable from its coarse bark, it’s leaf pattern and its white flowers although there semm to be some new yellow flower cultivars such as Robinia pseudoacacia spp “Frisia” , resembling closely Laburnum anagyroides trees who are also Fabaceae and bear similar flowers and grow in the same regions, same climate. Hello every body, Black Locust wood is chemical free and regrows rapidly, which protects you and the environment. Those are dandies! Using black locust as a more sustainable option to ipe wood is highly commendable in order to preserve our fragile rainforests. Light rays frequently appear along the grain. The leaves are 6-14” long with each leaflet being 1-2” long and oval in shape with a small notch at the tip. Wow. Locust turns a nice brown with oxidation. The blossoms are really tasty too. Black locust wood also has high BTU rating, making it an efficient fuel for traditional heating system like fireplace and woodstove. We supply and process black locust logs for park landscape and playground projects. Most of the basic characteristics are… Read more ». From shop TheShindiggityShoppe. Responds very well to both lathe turning and steam bending; glues and finishes well. Please contact me at 301-253-4087 or at rglabach@yahoo.com. Our wood sourcing services grew out of our own need to secure a regular supply of black locust for outdoor applications. If you desire a beautiful and natural wood product for your outdoor space, Black Locust is the premier choice. Using black locust as a more sustainable option to ipe wood is highly commendable in order to preserve our fragile rainforests. Black locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia) is native to North America and grows prolifically in the Mid West, Arkansas/Oklahoma, as well as New England and the Northeast. This tree can sucker to the point of forming colonies. Because black locust trees are so hard, the wood can be quite challenging to cut. Use the “claim” button to reserve one or more slabs. Go figure. I’m over in SW Ohio, and will say most of the Black Locust I have seen isn’t anywhere near black, it’s usually a white to brown very plain looking wood. Build your outdoor furniture, set it outside, spray Thompson's waterseal on it and watch it explode over a few days into this beautiful reddish brown. It’s considered a low-budget mass production instrument (at least based on price) that uses the classic Torres design. Does anyone here know if I… Read more ». Workability: Overall working characteristics for Black Locust are mixed: although the grain is usually straight, its high density and hardness can make it difficult to machine. The flowers are important sources of food for honeybees. Nov 25, 2018 - Explore Terry G. Heart's board "Black Locust and Osage Orange", followed by 159 people on Pinterest. Back halves: 9.5″ x 21.5″ x 0.310″ (241mm x 546mm x 7.9mm) Sides: 5.1″ x 35.5″ x 0.230″ (129mm x 901mm x 5.8mm) Item: GBL0819. From shop LittleWitchHerbary. Watch splitting as it dries. Here at Lifetime Locust we offer almost thirty years experience of production, sales, and service in the Timber industry. I make stunning coasters from Black Locust after applying a Lichtenberg burn. But exploitative deforestation has driven tropical hardwood species such as Ipe, Big Leaf Mahogany, and Teak toward the brink of extinction. Common English name: Black Locust; Other names: false acacia; Latin (scientific) name: Robinia pseudoacacia; Threat type . Black locust is a major honey plant in the eastern US, and has been planted in European countries. When this is done I will know how the warpage works out. The wood is weak and brittle, subject to storm damage. Black locust poisoning: The black locust is a large deciduous tree which has long clusters of scented flowers and flat fruit pods. I spend several days each year clearing the seedlings from fields and fence rows. Does Black Locust need to air dried before Kiln drying. Is it lost once dried? The coaling ability is also high. Locusts are fast-growing, hardy trees that belong to the pea family Fabaceae or Leguminosae. There are several companies doing it in the US and Europe but it is sketchy. Black locust is the most durable, gorgeous outdoor wood available. The black locust tree, or Robinia pseudoacacia, is a deciduous tree found throughout the southeastern United States, as well as in South Africa, Europe, and Asia.The tree is native to the southeastern United States, but it has been transplanted to other areas of the globe such as Australia, Pakistan, China, Canada, India, Europe, South Africa, Asia, southern South America, and New Zealand. The flowers of the black locust. As is common in highly colored woods, this original coloration will tend to shift toward a darker russet brown color with age and exposure to ultraviolet light sources. Laburnum trees have (unlike Robinia)a smooth and thin bark, and the leaves are alternated differently, but the wood is pretty similar, once expose to light, the creamy yellow Black Locust will resemble the initially honey light golden brown Laburnum , only one… Read more », This wood is very hard and i think quite a beautiful wood. I see paper wasps on the lumber and where they’ve taken their bit of the nest off a cured board. My son, liked the smell with no reaction. I recently got some dark brown almost black wood that the person who gave it to me identified as baked locust. Nobody can fulfill large orders faster that Black Locust Wood. Too much cedar gives me a headache too. It significantly weakens the lumber by carbonizing the sucrose. Black Locust is more difficult to split compared with some of the other top-level firewoods like Oak and Ash. If you ever tried to drive a nail into a ten year old, Black Locust post, you may believe that the older generations were absolutely correct. Personally if it’s for indoor projects, I’d look at some Ash, and I imagine your wife would not object to the look, if she likes Locust. It makes an incredibly durable decking material that will remain beautiful throughout years of outdoor exposure. I saw someone me mention something about “oyster” and one shape absolutely looks like an oyster or clam shell. Loves dry heat for bending. Black Locust. The black locust is the most durable American wood for ground contact, and it is what is used to line the beds at the Colonial Garden in Williamsburg. Black Locust Its heartwood color is medium brown with pale sapwood edges and it tends to darken with age. I could have put in a container to EU. Reminds me of orange blossoms. Unlike Brazilian Ipe, Black Locust does not contribute to devastating tropical deforestation. Submit. Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian, and Other Rosewoods, Genuine Lignum Vitae and Argentine Lignum Vitae, BOOK: WOOD! I had four acacia trees in my yard cut down and sawn on the property. I’m positive that you’d find what you’re looking for, whatever the quantity. Locust wood is so hard and durable that it is used for making rails and fence posts. Native geographic location and habitat. SLAB CLAIM INSTRUCTIONS. Black Ash. Working with one other guy, and setting aside land and materials cost, we had a system where we were producing $192/hr in cash and carry inventory and could scarcely keep up with demand when we were 25% cheaper than an inferior product at nearby farm supply stores. While cutting a large oak into firewood I lost my splitting wedge. It has good weathering characteristics and is frequently used as fence posts for its outdoor longevity. The leaves, bark and wood of Black Locust are poisonous to both people and livestock. Black Locust The Tree. Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable in regard to decay resistance, with good weathering characteristics. Flowering starts after 140 growing degree days. Thus, it can save up tons of money, especially if you are living in cold climate. Question I have a customer who wants locust fence posts, and claims to have horses that will chew on the fencing. Brian. My favorite wood for walking sticks and canes. Its straight grain is attractive and can be helpful during the machining process, but since it is so hard, it may cause cutting edges of tools to become blunted on a regular basis, so be prepared to deal with that. Because it is a nitrogen fixer and has rapid juvenile growth, it is widely planted as an ornamental, for shelterbelts, and for land reclamation. From 100 to 100,000 units no job is too big or too small for us to help you with. A plentiful renewable resource that is well suited for all outdoor wood uses. I’ve read that stainless steel screws are best to join the planks. I am amazed by Black Locust having so many advantages. Black Locust wood has little sapwood and heartwood which is pale yellowish brown to golden color with a darker grain color. The rough cut planks air-dried for 20 months, and then the planks were fine-milled for direct use. Another (uncommon) side effect reported is nausea. The next day i tried milling the wood without a respirator and soon found the headache coming on. Epoxy glue appears to work best – not recommended for aliphatic (yellow) or white glues. We cut the trees down 5 years ago and still have to dig up roots and trees. Native to eastern and southern parts of the United States. It is the perfect wood for fence and deck posts. Unfortunately it is rare to find pieces you can get guartersawn guitar backs from. Locust borer is a serious pest of black locust. Black Locust. In Hungary, Black Locust is the basis of commercial honey production. The purpose is to chisel off growths high up on a tree trunk. The flowers of the black locust. Similar to wisteria bushes, it is extremely invasive in sprouting from established plants. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Locust when freshly sawn has a yellow tint. However, it makes a brilliant source of firewood because its high density means it takes a long time to burn. I cut two wedges from a piece of black locust (we call it robinier here, after the king’s gardiner, Robin (hence it’s latin name Robinia Acacia) who brought it here from America in 1604) and split 2.5 cords of oak with them.