A name commonly applied to two trees, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). Both of these commercially important trees have podlike fruits similar to those of the pea or bean. The black locust is native in the Appalachian and the Ozark regions and is now widely naturalized in the eastern United States, southern Canada, and Europe. The wood is hard and durable in the soil and is used for fence posts, mine timbers, poles, and railroad ties. The honey locust is native in the Appalachian and the Mississippi Valley regions, but is also widely naturalized in the eastern United States and southern Canada. The reddish wood is hard, strong, and coarse-grained and takes a high polish. Because it is durable in contact with soil, it is used for fence posts and railroad ties; it is also used for construction, furniture, and interior finish. |
