I have always liked the humble Black (or Yellow) Locust tree. Other than in deep deserts (and sometimes in an oasis), I have always seen Locust trees wherever in the world I've been, reminding me of home. The Locust tree has a distinct shape and foliage that, although not always the most beautiful, is certainly instantly recognizable.
The Locust tree is native to North America, but has been cultivated on nearly every continent. I have seen it used as a tree for lining streets in Europe, grown for wood across Europe and Asia. It is even grown as animal fodder in Mongolia.
Even though it is a tree, the Locust is also a legume. Like most legumes, the leaves are high in protein, and the roots fix nitrogen. It will grow on marginal land and will improve the ground it is growing upon. The foliage can be fed to animals; however, it may contain substances that will slow their growth. This situation would be preferable to starving your livestock, but certainly it is not a good choice for a permanent diet.
The Locust can also be an indicator for when to plant your garden. My parents have these trees near both gardens, in widely separated parts of their field. They don't begin planting the lower garden until the Locust tree next to it begins to bloom. However, the other portion of the field has a different micro-climate, and the planting there waits until its very own Locust tree blooms too. The few times that they have planted earlier than the trees indicated, the crops have struggled to get off to a healthy start.
Do you have Locust trees on your property? What uses, if any, have you found for your own?
