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Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

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Summary
Range
Similar Plants
Habitat
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foliage, compound leaves with rounded leaflets, large clusters of small white flowers, and dark branches, against blue sky

Photo © Bernie Paquette, CC BY 4.0.

↑Summary

A nitrogen-fixing tree native to North America, having expanded its range in nearly all directions due to human intervention.

↑Range - Expand

Legend	Color
Native
Expanded
Native or Expanded
Expanded or Not Present

This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.

Black locust has been widely planted, and frequently escapes cultivation, but also spreads readily on its own, taking advantage of humans clearing land and depleting soils. We marked the entire new range of this species as expanded because it is contiguous with its native range and more-or-less completely connected with only small gaps.

↑Similar Plants

Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
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Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida)
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↑Habitat

An early successional species on most sites. Found in full sun in open habitats with exposed soil, and following large-scale disturbances in forests such as fire, which have created conditions suitable for its survival. Black locust requires extensive disturbance; gaps caused by removal of one to a few trees are usually insufficient to create enough light for it to survive.

Naturally found in areas that have burned, areas cleared by landslides or avalanches, and occasionally areas defoliated by severe insect infestations. Also favored by anthropogenic disturbances, including logging, mining, and abandonment of agricultural fields and pastures. Also found in urban areas, in vacant lots, roadsides and railroads.

Black locust heavily alters the habitat around it, increasing soil nitrogen. In the long-run, this favors the establishment of more shade-tolerant trees that will eventually replace it on most sites.