Specializing in building and renovating homes, Thomas Luttrell has worked in homebuilding since 2002. The heartwood is usually a deep russet brown, while the outer wood is light yellow, sometimes with a greenish tint. When it comes to deciding between black locust or honey locust, the first thing you probably want to consider is the hardness of each type of lumber. When harvesting Black Locust flowers, target those that are fully open and have a faint yellow blotch in the center. The bark of black locust is reddish brown to almost black with deep furrows. Overall, both honey locust and black locust are fairly appealing to the eye. Black vs Honey Locust Trees. (3) Male sex organs are catkins which are pendulous cylindrical flower clusters. Comparing their differences is somewhat like trying to tell white oak apart from red oak. This is a thornless and pod-less variety of locust tree with small leaflets meaning that it is easy to maintain. were wiped out with a new type of disease. In the late freeze season, we still didn't get black locust in the supers. Lathe turning or steam bending are both preferred ways to work with this type of wood. Black locust and honey locust trees grow in places with sunny or warm temperatures. It’s well-liked for turned objects, and boat builders tend to appreciate its qualities as well. Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known in its native territory as black locust, is a medium-sized hardwood deciduous tree, belonging to the tribe Robinieae.It is endemic to a few small areas of the United States, but it has been widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in temperate North America, Europe, Southern Africa and … A final note: The black locust should not be confused with the honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos. Learning the environment in which a particular tree has grown is important in choosing your wood. Like its sister locust tree, its wood has a medium luster and texture. In an urban setting, its feathery leaves offer a nice dappled shade to lawns below. By contrast, the honey locust wood has few if any such anomalies. In both black locust and honey locust trees, the climate and the environmental conditions under which they have grown greatly affect their nature. In the wild this tree will grow up to 100 feet (30 m.) and beyond, but in landscaping it usually tops out at 30 to 70 feet (9 … The flower is said to contain the antitumor compound benzoaldehyde. The only other tree that Honey Locust can be confused with in the Midwest is Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). However, one differentiating factor is the presence and quantity of tyloses. On the Janka scale, the honey locust has a hardness of 1580 lbf, which is actually quite high. In the course of your forays into various types of wood, you may come across the locust tree and its lumber. This number represents how strong, tough, and impact-resistant the wood is. For the honey locust, the wide sapwood bears a pale yellow hue. Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is somewhat similar to Mysore thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) and parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata). Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family which is native to central North America and considered to be a significant invasive weed in other regions of the world.It is a fast growing tree which produces fragrant cream-colored flowers late spring which form in clusters from the base of the leaf … The black locust is also known as the false acacia or yellow locust and there are about 10 species. I have the beginnings of a food forest so I wouldn't want podless. Black locust has been introduced as far as Maine to California, due to useful properties as fence posts (many of the fence posts on our farm were put there by my great grandfather 75 … That is, the heartwood, or wood cut from the very center of a big, mature tree, may have a slightly different hue from the outer wood, or wide sapwood. So do we. The tree has moderate tolerance for flooding and drought. Black locust tree uses. [ Last edited by sooby - May 1, 2016 8:00 PM ( + ) ] Where They Are Found Whereas honey locust can be located from the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains to the eastern edge of the Great Plains, black locust is native to the southeastern United States and often … Black Locust Identification . This fact does not generally affect the overall appearance of the finished wood, however. Although honey locust is not considered a threatened species, it is still not widely available, and the cost is higher due to limited quantities. Some woodworkers like turning honey locust for various projects. In fact, despite the similarity in their names, the black locust and honey locust are not technically in the same genus. One major identifier is the long compound leaves with up to 19 leaflets which present the typical and unique locust leaf profile (not to be confused with the twice compound leaves of honey locust). It is useful as utility lumber. Difficult conditions aside, why would you choose the honey locust? The two main varieties of locust trees in Indiana are the honey locust, easily identified by the collection of thorns on the trunk, and the black locust, which boasts heavy loads of fragrant white flowers in the spring. The honey locust tree, also known as thorny locust (Biological name – Gleditsia triacanthos) is a tree that is widely grown in the central eastern region. The biological name of the tree is Robinia pseudoacacia. The color of a tree’s wood typically varies depending on the area from which the lumber is cut. The seed pods of both trees look like bean pods, but the black locust seedpods are small, only about as long and wide as your finger. I think if you want pods it is going to be up to you. There are two lessons in the above discussion on black locust. However, both trees feature certain distinct characteristics which help to tell the difference between black and honey locust trees. Both types of lumber are suitable for a wide variety of uses. The flowers are antispasmodic, aromatic, diuretic, emollient and laxative. Some honey locust cultivars are used as landscape trees. I usually get a good black locust honey crop. Press Esc to cancel. These flowers have a pea-like floral structure that is typical of species in the Bean family (Fabaceae). Sometimes it is crafted into veneer. Locust trees are simply described as deciduous trees that produce long compound leaves each of which has the ability to sprout a total of 21 leaflets. He also holds a bachelor's degree in English from Iowa University. Within the natural range of honey locust trees, you should be able to find some of the wood available. The flow tends to be short. The honey is almost water white. Honey locusts are late to lea… inermis). For example, if working with wood is your thing, you will find that there is a seemingly endless variety of wood types that you can use for structural elements, trim and molding, furniture, cabinetry, and much more. 2018 was the most trying year we've ever had producing Locust Honey. Honey locust is often more expensive than black locust because it is rarer and more difficult to find and import. There is a similar kind of tree known as the water locust, or Gleditsia aquatica, which shares some aspects with the honey locust and black locust. The other ID marker is a small stout briar spine on branches, often curved and in pairs at each … Black locust belongs in the Robinia genus, and honey locust belongs in the Gleditsia genus. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Another way that varieties of black locust differ from one another is that the leaves of honey black locusts don’t have leaflets at their tip. The honey locust cannot survive exposure to temperatures below -33 degrees Fahrenheit. The Sunburst honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos var. Locust Trees and Honeybees. The bark of the honey locust tree is gray to brown in colour. However, its grain is somewhat straighter than that of the honey locust. Black Locust vs Honey Locust. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } The sentence above sounds like it describes a black locust to me. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. Plus, the colors of the two trees are slightly different. I still think it's black locust. Hardwoods can be more difficult to work with, but they accept stain well and often include beautiful grain patterns, which make them more desirable to woodworkers and homeowners.  Leaves on a black locust are simple compound while a honey locust has feather shaped compound ones. The honey locust is a minor nectar source, flowering in late spring/early summer. Reproductive details Honey locusts are polygamo-dioecious trees, meaning male and female flowers are on separate trees, but all trees also have perfect flowers. In appearance, the honey locust has wood with very similar coloring to the Kentucky Coffeetree. Filed Under: Plants Tagged With: Black locust tree, Black Locust Tree Features, black locust tree flower, Gleditsia triacanthos, Honey locust tree, Honey Locust Tree Features, honey locust tree flower, robinia pseudoacacia, thorny locust. In fact, despite the similarity in their names, the black locust and honey locust are not technically in the same genus. One key difference between honey locust vs. black locust is the presence of tyloses. Tylosis is distension of a plant cell. The seed pods on a black locust can grow to about 2-5 inches, smaller than that of the honey locust.The black locust can be found in various parts of the world such as Asia, North America, South Africa and Europe. Perfect flowers …  The seed pods also differ, smaller seed pods about 2-5 inches are characteristic of a black locust tree. The tree was nicknamed “honey locust” because of the sweet pulp which was used for food by some of the North American tribes. If you do not have a specific reason for choosing honey locust for a project, you may want to simply go with the black locust instead. Locust pods are eaten by livestock and wildlife. Black locust belongs in the Robinia genus, and honey locust belongs in the Gleditsia genus. Softer trees tend to be easier to damage, and they may not take stain well due to the looser texture of their wood or their odd coloring. Visit & Look Up Quick Results Now On celebrandoleonardo500.com! As far as grain appearance goes, the honey locust tree usually has a fairly straight grain, though it may be naturally wavy or irregular in places.
Therefore, understanding the differences is interesting and knowing their characteristics would enhance the process. And its wood contains many more tyloses than honey locust. Black locust lumber is also somewhat similar in appearance to the lumber of the Osage Orange tree. The thorns of black locust trees are short, when compared to that of honey locusts. Honey Locust has large branching thorns, whereas Black Locust has individual spines, typically at the base of leaves. Ultimately, black locust has some advantages over the honey locust. The bark is somewhat of a dark brown colour with grooves upon it, making it look as if a large rope has been tied around it. Near the end of the 18th century black locust became extremely popular in Europe. Its flowers are white, lavender or purple in colour and are known to be intensely fragrant. Whether you get black locust gain in supers, or not, is dependent on the relationship of bee and tree … It’s somewhat harder and bears more resistance to weathering and rot. Honey locust trees have thorns surrounding the bark whereas a black locust tree has grooves on it that resembles ropes but not thorns. By contrast, the black locust has an even higher ranking. Its wood tends to be a bit darker, especially at the heart. So by this measure, we can see that black locust is harder, tougher, and more durable. Its straight grain is attractive and can be helpful during the machining process, but since it is so hard, it may cause cutting edges of tools to become blunted on a regular basis, so be prepared to deal with that. The flowers have a divine flavor that is akin to a snow pea dipped in honey, with an ambrosia like aroma. The honey locust, on the other hand, can grow pods to as long as 10-12 inches. I don't live in an area where they grow, so I cannot attest to this. Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a tree that is native to parts of the eastern U.S., as far north as Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and as far west as Texas and Nebraska, but it can grow in many areas. Its hardness and density make the machining process longer, and you may have to keep sharpening your tools if you are working with a lot of it. The features of the different varieties will differ, and some varieties that don’t have seed pods or thorns. Black locust is often sold at prices comparable to those of white oak. The older honey locust trees have feather shaped pinnately compound leaves whereas in younger trees, the leaves are bipinnately compound. In this guide, we will take a look at two common types of locust and compare their differences. It takes a strong colony. Its form can be widely variable as well, growing tall and round topped with ascending branches or often … Black Locust is also denser and produces more heat when used as firewood. Ed to write a brief description of the similarities and differences of honey locust (herein referred to as HL) and Black Locusts (herein referred to as BL).feel free to add something as needed. Most of the hives in Ohio, MI, WI, etc. Herb: Black Locust Latin name: Robinia pseudoacacia Family: Leguminosae Medicinal use of Black Locust: Febrifuge. Bees make a delicious honey from black locust flowers. Edited to add, we cross posted - your flower does look like the honey locust flower and the leaves don't look like black locust, so unfortunately you have the wrong locust. Honey locust wood makes excellent furniture, and it may also be used to create sturdy fence posts. The honey locust has thorns growing from the bark. The down side is they will send up suckers and spread. Hardness is measured on the Janka scale and is quantified by pound-feet, represented as lb-ft or lbf. The black locust would probably do go in that site. When you are comparing black locust and honey locust, you will find many similarities in the overall color, appearance, and other aspects. Both black and honey locusts trees have beautiful white flowers that have a very aromatic fragrance. Rusty HoneyBeeSuite As you work on various projects around your home, you will become more and more familiar with the various materials that are available for each application. Sunny climates are known to be conducive to both these trees. Eventually, you will be comfortable moving beyond the more familiar, less expensive woods like oak, poplar, pine, and fir, and you will probably try experimenting with more costly wood like cherry, maple, mahogany, ash, and elm. They do not have the branched thorns that are seen on the trunk of honey locust trees. It can withstand high heat, full sun, acidic or alkaline soil, and urban pollution. If the black locust lumber has to be imported, it will cost a lot more. The tree has a rough bark but does not have any thorns extruding from its trunks. "The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils." Harvesting & Use For the black locust, the flowers are the edible portion. Both trees are quite big and tall because of which they are easily confused with one another. In the early spring, black locust trees produce prolific clusters of beautiful white flowers that dangle down from their branches. Ironically, the honey locust produces very little—if any—honey. What is the difference between Black and Honey Locust Trees? However, it tends to grow in swamps in the southern regions of the USA. Black locust trees do have showy, wonderful-smelling flowers. Pollinated flowers develop into 3-4 inch long pods, each with 4-8 seeds. It is often used as fence posts, like honey locust; but it may also be found in mine timbers, railroad ties, and flooring. Many black locust trees have pores that are full of tyloses. The black locust and honey locust are trees that grow in warm climates. Here at the farm we have counted 8 different hummingbirds in our Mimosa tree at one time. Black locust has a similar grain. Also, black locust has simple compound leaves, but honey locust has bipinnately compound leaves. The honey locust (whose flowers look very different) apparently produces edible seed pods. Pleasant tasting honey, aromatic, and ranging from water white to light yellow in color, this honey comes from the black locust tree which flowers in long white racemes. The clearest difference between Black Locust and Honey Locust is the difference in their thorns. Often these anomalies result from stress or damage to a woody plant. The honey locust pods are huge, up to a foot long and a couple inches wide. I have black, honey and purple locust and they all have thorns. However, keep in mind that the price of honey locust will be in the mid-tier or upper tier of what you can expect to pay for a domestic hardwood. Black locust is often in competition with hickory, while honey locust is sometimes compared to the Kentucky Coffeetree. The texture is moderately even, and the wood has a natural luster of its own, which is moderate in comparison to the innate luster of other trees. Black locust tree is a native tree in southeastern United States that can grow as high as 60 to 80 feet. The black locust tree has simple compound leaves that hang on every branch. Although both are grown or are native in warm areas, they can still survive in areas outside of their native land. inermis Suncole, is podless and thornless as is the Shade Master. So if you are looking to select wood purely based on its level of hardness and durability, you may want to go with the black locust lumber for your project. Other times it is made into beautiful furniture. Female flowers are fragrant but not showy and often lost in the expanding foliage. Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Parallelogram and Trapezoid, Difference Between Definite and Indefinite Integrals, Difference Between Leukocytes and Lymphocytes, Difference Between Provision and Contingent Liability, Difference Between X and Y Ganglion Cell Receptive Fields, Difference Between Heck Stile and Suzuki Reaction, Difference Between Arrhenius and Eyring Equation, Difference Between Purine and Pyrimidine Synthesis, Difference Between Glucose Galactose and Mannose. Since black locust is so hard and durable, it can be a bit more difficult to manipulate and craft, compared to other types of wood. The seed pods of a honey locust tree are huge and can grow up to a foot long or 12 inches. I grew up on a lot with a honey locust and do not recall it having flowers. The … They are cooked and eaten for the treatment of eye ailments. The black locust tree’s botanical name is Robinia pseudoacacia and the honey locust tree’s is Gleditsia triacanthos. Its heartwood is quite a bit darker, with a reddish-brown ranging from lighter to fairly vivid. However, instead of grooves, the honey locust tree has thorns that seem to grow from anywhere, because of which it gains its name. Finally, the precipitation range for the honey locust's growth is about 35 inches … Though they are mainly grown for ornamental purposes, black locusts are much valued for their hard and durable wood. Both honey locust and black locust produce white fragrant flowers that appear from May to June. It comes in at 1700 lbf on the Janka scale. Untreated black locust wood has many uses, and cut black locust fence posts can even survive in the ground for over 100 years. The seed pods on a black locust can grow to about 2-5 inches, smaller than that of the honey locust.The black locust can be found in various parts of the world such as Asia, North America, South Africa and Europe. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Black locust is often in competition with hickory, while honey locust is sometimes compared to the Kentucky Coffeetree. When you are choosing between black locust or honey locust, you may find it helpful to look at other types of lumber with which these cousin trees are often compared. Image of honey, green, fresh - 116658670 The colour of these flowers can range from a beautiful white to purple. All rights reserved. I hear people comment on how the lighter honey is more valuable. It is also responsive to gluing and to finishes of various kinds. Both the bee and tree development schedules were retarded by over a week. However, it is also a bit harder to machine and tougher to work with overall. Type above and press Enter to search. These swollen areas can affect the overall appearance of the wood.