Anyone have any black locust seeds they'd be willing to part with?

[pennsywoodburnr]

I'd like to start growing my own seeing as how they take off so quickly. They would complement the oaks, maples, and pines already established. I've always heard they grow like weeds, but don't really have any sort of idea how many feet they can grow in a season. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Sagetown]

On my place they grow quite readily from their shallow lateral root system. 1st year growth can be up to 3'. Maximum height is between 20 and 30 feet. I've got one in my yard that has been here since the late 30's or early 40's. It's kinda ragged from the punishment down through the years. I use to have several, but during one summer storm, they all blew down.

Funny thing, of all these years, I really haven't paid any attention to how they seed, or what their seed looks like. I know they become fairly fragrant during the spring, and attract many Bumble Bees, and Wasps.

 

[bubba3228]

Maybe check with your local county conservation extension. They may have some programs and materials for free.

 

[Raintree]

Black Locust around here can grow 12"-18" yr and reach a height of 90ft. Good honey trees for the Bee keepers.

 

[vinced]

I'd be interested in some info on growing Black Locust trees from seeds too. I have a perfect spot behind my house on the edge of the woods that I've been cleaning out and would love to plant some Locust there and harvest it for firewood in 5-7 years. I grow tomato plants from seeds and can have them up to 2ft tall in no time. I wouldn't think locust trees would be any different.

 

[Ed*L]

Just remember, Black Locust is invasive, sprouting from seeds and roots. They also produce a toxin that keeps other trees from growing. Toxic to horses as well.

Ed

 

[brewmonster]

If you do get some seeds, you may want to scarify them before planting. They have a very hard seed coat that keeps water out and thereby delays germination. I found that filing through the seed coat just enough to reveal the white cotyledon beneath would do the trick.

 

[c5rulz]

Just remember, Black Locust is invasive, sprouting from seeds and roots. They also produce a toxin that keeps other trees from growing. Toxic to horses as well.

Ed

I agree.

Black locust is awful, I certainly would not plant any. All black locust I cut get a dose of Tordon.

Being invasive, you don't want to start a problem.

If you want something that can grow extremely fast, check out hybrid poplar, and is what some call an OK firewood. I had some I cut down in the yard because the roots were surfacing and making a mess.

One of these trees was 40 x 48" in 21 years.

 

[pennsywoodburnr]

On my place they grow quite readily from their shallow lateral root system. 1st year growth can be up to 3'. Maximum height is between 20 and 30 feet. I've got one in my yard that has been here since the late 30's or early 40's. It's kinda ragged from the punishment down through the years. I use to have several, but during one summer storm, they all blew down.

Funny thing, of all these years, I really haven't paid any attention to how they seed, or what their seed looks like. I know they become fairly fragrant during the spring, and attract many Bumble Bees, and Wasps.

I've also heard myself that they can pull in a lot of bees with the flowers they produce. If I'm not mistaken, I don't think they seed every year either. Maybe every other year, or even every couple.

 

[pennsywoodburnr]

I agree.

Black locust is awful, I certainly would not plant any. All black locust I cut get a dose of Tordon.

Being invasive, you don't want to start a problem.

If you want something that can grow extremely fast, check out hybrid poplar, and is what some call an OK firewood. I had some I cut down in the yard because the roots were surfacing and making a mess.

One of these trees was 40 x 48" in 21 years.

Nice haul...wanna send it my way? :msp_thumbup:. I would not be putting these trees anywhere near my house or septic tank. They would be on the other side of the property seperated by the powerline tracks. I was basically looking for something that grows fast, and sprouts back up from the root when dropped. The second reason mainly because I don't want to deal with burning stumps or having to uproot them.

 

[stihly dan]

Why so many cookies?

 

[nixon]

I'd like to start growing my own seeing as how they take off so quickly. They would complement the oaks, maples, and pines already established. I've always heard they grow like weeds, but don't really have any sort of idea how many feet they can grow in a season. Thanks in advance for the help.

If you cant locate any seed , try Tree grower of quality seedlings and transplants . They sell all sorts of seedlings ,including black ,and honey locust ,and osage orange . They are located in indiana county .

 

[turnkey4099]

I'd be interested in some info on growing Black Locust trees from seeds too. I have a perfect spot behind my house on the edge of the woods that I've been cleaning out and would love to plant some Locust there and harvest it for firewood in 5-7 years. I grow tomato plants from seeds and can have them up to 2ft tall in no time. I wouldn't think locust trees would be any different.

IME you aren't going to harvest anything B Locust much bigger than a couple inces in ony 5-7 years...but then out here it not a native climate for them so back east may be different. Here I wouildn't expect to get any worthwhile harvest short of 20 years minimum.

Harry K

 

[Vibes]

If you have one on your property just cut it down and you'll find out how extensive a route system one has. I had a big one removed about 9 years ago. Sprouts pooped up everywhere. I have one thats 10 feet from the house thats actually on my neighbors property. I cut it several times Its about 5 inch at the stump in about 5 years. Its as high as my 2 story house now.

 

[iowa]

I planted at least 20 bl on my lot line next to my ahole neighbor! Lol. I purchased them from my local conservation office for very cheap. I planted them 3 yrs ago and they're over 10' tall now. They have seeds on them every yr. so far. I've lost a couple due to the drought. But the roots are still alive and have sprouted new trees! I need to trim these soon. They grow fast for a hardwood.

 

[CTYank]

Some state agencies, like NY DEC, will sell you BL seedlings cheap. Like $.35 ea when in stock.

Try musserforest dot com too for bare-root seedlings.

One of the best things about BL trees is that they're legumes. They have nitrogen-fixing bacteria nodules on their roots, and improve the soil. Not to mention that, around me, they grow well on some of the crappiest growing sites, to towering heights.

Once well established, you'll need agent orange or napalm to remove them.

 

[us2bnuts]

I don't know about black locust but I cut a lot of honey locust and it will show a quarter inch or better between growth rings. very fast growing trees and hard to get rid of.

 

[iowa]

As I was sitting here tonight eating my supper I couldn't figure out why my knuckle on my left pinky was sooooo red and sore to move. Then it dawned on me. I trimmed my black locust trees today and one of the branches fell and a thorn pricked me!

 

[c5rulz]

Why so many cookies?

Since some of the rounds were pushing 36" and the splitting maul was just sticking in them because of the amount of water in the wood so I cut them into more manageble sized pieces.

 

[c5rulz]

The second reason mainly because I don't want to deal with burning stumps or having to uproot them.

The roots/stumps weren't a big deal. We rented this, it was mighty impressive.

My neighbors had a bunch too, we put 8.5 hours on it and ran $90 worth of diesel through it.