Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black locust is a fast-growing tree with deeply furrowed bark that produces pendulous racemes of intensely fragrant white flowers in late spring, drawing bees in their thousands, followed by a light, filtering canopy of elegant pinnate leaves. Its remarkable tolerance of poor, dry, and compacted soils makes it invaluable for difficult sites, though its suckering tendency warrants thoughtful placement.