What does a locust tree look like??

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Black Locust and Honey Locust are the primary two Locusts.

This link tells about the black Locust, with a map of it's primary range.
http://forestry.about.com/library/tree/blloc.htm

Honey Locust is easy to identify because of the quantity and size of the thorn bundles that grow from it's trunk. I have a large one down now that I hope to harvest. High waters in the river bottom took it down. Beware, the thorns are nasty - some as long as 8" or more - and will give you a bad infection if you get punched. Had one cut out of my left leg. They will also flatten your tires! visit the below site for description and map of range.

When I'm working with Honey Locust. I first cut off the thorn bundles with a hand ax and get them out of the area. Fixing tractor flats is no real joy. There is also a thornless Honey Locust that is planted as a landscaping tree. see: http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/treeDetail.cfm?id=24

http://www.washington.edu/home/treetour/hlocust.html

Honey Locust?

hlocusttrunk.jpg
 
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Yes, as clawmute shows, honeylocust is easy to notice! The photo he provided has relatively few thorns. Some trees are very densly covered with the thorns.

Black locust has small (1/4") thorns on the smaller branches. None on the trunk or larger branches.

Both have small oval leaflets, somewhat similar to walnut.

I have (too many) honey locust trees in the pastures. I'll GIVE them away to anyone who wants them as long as the make sure to take all the thorns with them! ;-)

Ken
 
wonder why that tree would grow such defensive thorns to protect itself.......
 
One wicked crown.:(



Black locust has rose bush type thorns on it, pretty coarse bark, is green/yellow on the interior, small leaves...fernlike. Dense wood, once dried it is hard on chains, expect to sharpen frequently on larger diameters, little stuff like 6" is easy to work with. Just wear gloves to protect agains the thorns.

Due to the density, it burns great, once dried well.

Great fence posts, and would make perfect framework to keep your firewood off the ground since it'll last for decades.
 
One wicked crown.:(



Black locust has rose bush type thorns on it, pretty coarse bark, is green/yellow on the interior, small leaves...fernlike. Dense wood, once dried it is hard on chains, expect to sharpen frequently on larger diameters, little stuff like 6" is easy to work with. Just wear gloves to protect agains the thorns.

Due to the density, it burns great, once dried well.

Great fence posts, and would make perfect framework to keep your firewood off the ground since it'll last for decades.

Used to hate black locust as a teenager when I used to cut neighbors lawns. One of my clients had a small one and there was not way to mow under it without getting zapped by the thorns.

In addition to fenceposts, the flavinoids in the heartwood make it excellent for any application where it will be exposed to moisture. Boatbuilders love the stuff.
 
I have some cut up and laying around. It cut easy but is impossible to split. I got about a 10" chunk to crack but the big 12-14" ones are rock hard! Time for the Monster Maul and the Wood Grenade.
 
I was helping to mark some trees for removal, and that first one nailed me, twice. Had to dig thorn tips out both times.

That was two days ago and the one in my right index finger is still pretty sore.

Some of the thorns on that first pick are close to 14" long.

The pic with the base of the tree with the huge poison ivy vines, is nearly 3.5 feet in diameter.
 
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The pic with the base of the tree with the huge poison ivy vines, is nearly 3.5 feet in diameter.

heh...i saw those vines and started itching again!!
 
If those trees are approved for removal, my "pay" will be the firewood. There are a few Green Ash trees in the mix. Between the Ash and Locust, there should be enough wood for a season.

There are other trees that need to be felled ~ Silver Maple, Norway Maple, Box Elder, and some Catalpa.
I plan to try to sell that stuff on Craig's list for a few bucks a truckload.

Originally I had said "yes" to this whole thing as a volunteer job, but it has turned into potentially a lot of work. At least there is some firewood that is decent.
 

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