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Tree info 1 |
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Tree info 2 |
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Tree info 1 |
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Tree info 2 |
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| Identifying Characteristics | |
Size/Form: |
Black locust is a medium tree that reaches heights of 60 to 82'. It has an open crown. |
Leaves: |
The leaves are pinnately compound, alternate, and deciduous. They generally have seven to nine leaflets on a central stalk 20 to 30'' long with a terminal leaflet. Leaflets are slightly longer than they are wide, 1/2" to 2" long by 1/2" to 1" wide. Leaflets are oval or elliptical in outline. The lower leaflet surface is lighter and covered with short hairs along the midrib. The leaflet margins are entire. The leaflets turn yellow in autumn. A pair of spines at the base of the leaf vary in size. |
Fruit: |
The fruit is an oblong legume, or pod shaped, measuring 2 to 4" in length and about 1/2" wide. Several flat, smooth, and reddish-brown legumes remain on the tree throughout winter. The inside of the fruit contains small pea-sized, hard, and dark seeds. |
Bark: |
The bark is light brown to gray. A young tree has smooth bark but as it ages the bark becomes furrowed with dark brown, thick, and interlacing ridges. |
Habitat: |
It grows on a variety of sites ranging from moist slopes to dry rocky soils, thriving on limestone soils. It can also be found along roadsides and along fencerows. Shade intolerant, the tree proliferates in disturbed habitats. |
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Photos Click on thumbnails to see a larger image. |
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