Etymology. “Locust” comes from the Latin locusta, meaning both “locust” (the insect) and “lobster”. By analogy with a levantine use of the Greek word for the insect, akris, for the pods of the carob tree which supposedly resembled it, the pod-bearing North American tree was called “locust” starting in the 1630s.

What is another name for a locust tree?

The two most common types of locust trees are black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), also called false acacia, and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and both types are North American natives.

What are locust trees good for?

Locust trees are excellent for erosion control and tolerate urban pollution and road salt spray well, so they are good trees to plant on graded areas and near roads and driveways. Some locusts grow quite tall, so allow enough space between trees that they will not be crowded when they reach their mature height.

Does a locust tree have yellow wood?

Since the bark turns darker with age, the tree is sometimes called “black locust.” “Yellow locust” is another common name, because of the golden color of the wood. Its often called “white locust,” too, due to the light-colored wood of young trees.

Is a locust tree poisonous?

The bark, seeds, leaves and twigs of the black locust tree are toxic to humans, cattle, poultry, sheep, and horses. The black locust grows 40-100 feet tall and is most common in the southeastern states of the United States. The black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) is extremely poisonous if consumed.

What is the scientific name for black locust tree?

TAXONOMY: The scientific name of black locust is Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) [85,91,123,128,143,153,156,178,232,360].

How many different types of locust trees?

Though there are more than 20 species of locust trees, two species are very popular. They are black locust and honey locust trees.

Are locust trees worth money?

Prices for these products range from $1 – $3 per linear foot for whole posts, and from $1.50 – $3.50/board foot for milled lumber, which is far above the prices for most conventional hardwood lumber.

Can you eat a locust?

Locusts are edible insects. Several cultures throughout the world consume insects, and locusts are considered a delicacy and eaten in many African, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries. They have been used as food throughout history. They can be cooked in many ways, but are often fried, smoked, or dried.

How much is locust wood worth?

But it’s worth it: Beyond the sustainability benefits, black locust is also cost-effective. In bulk, it’s $5.44 per square foot, while ipe is more than $7 per square foot.

What kind of wood is locust?

Comments: Black Locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with Hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance. Although it shares a similar common name with Honey Locust, the two aren’t in the same genus, (Robinia and Gleditsia, respectively).

How do you identify a locust tree?

Ways to Identify a Locust Tree In the spring, identify locust trees (Robinia spp.) by their pendant clusters of fragrant, sweet pea-shaped flowers, which are usually white or pink. And keep an eye out for sharp, straight or forked spines and by their feathery, pinnately compound leaves.

How can you tell what kind of locust tree you have?

Identifying species of locust trees can be done by features such as their flowers, color of bark, height of the tree, and the thorns. Another way to identify the type of locust tree is by the shape and color of its seed pods. Locust trees grow to between 66 and 98 ft. (20 – 30 m).

Is locust tree toxic to dogs?

The entire black locust tree, especially the bark and shoots, is toxic to cats and dogs. If consumed, it can cause kidney failure, weakness, nausea, depression and death. If ingested, any part of the plant is poisonous to dogs and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, and respiratory depression.

Are locust tree leaves poisonous to dogs?

Black locust is a tree type plant that is poisonous to your dog if he consumes any part of it. If you believe that your dog has chewed on or eaten any of this plant, you need to seek veterinary attention immediately.

Are black locust trees poisonous to humans?

The Black Locust inner bark, roots, and twigs are poisonous to livestock, especially horses, and can be fatal. The seed is poisonous to humans.