However, honey locusts develop new leaves, slightly earlier than the black ones. Comparing their differences is somewhat like trying to tell white oak apart from red oak. Black locust belongs in the Robinia genus, and honey locust belongs in the Gleditsia genus. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Black locust trees produce one of the rarest types of honey in Indiana due to the need for the perfect weather and the short time frame that the nectar remains on the trees. If the black locust lumber has to be imported, it will cost a lot more. Both the black locust tree and the honey locust tree can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. Hardness is measured on the Janka scale and is quantified by pound-feet, represented as lb-ft or lbf. Both black and honey locust trees produce new leaves during late spring. How Deep Do Quackgrass Roots Go?. 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. Keep on reading to learn how to identify black locust and honey locust trees. The honey is high in fructose so it can be … Just like the black locust, the species of honey locust grows in many different environments and thrives in full sun. Honey locust trees can be called thorny honey locust or thorny locust trees, or the name can be styled as one word: honeylocust. These are not rules just trends. 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. The base of the leaves of the black locust tree has short and sharp thorns, unlike the honey locust tree, which has thorns all over it. Black locust with it's thorns is not a crowd friendly tree. A black locust has a rough dark brown bark whereas a honey locust tree has a bark that is gray to brownish colour. black locust and honey locust trees are locust trees, Difference Between Black and Honey Locust Trees. The honey and black locust species part at the subclass level. Black Locust is also denser and produces more heat when used as firewood. Also, black locust has simple compound leaves, but honey locust has bipinnately compound leaves. T he black locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, is famous for producing a fruity and fragrant honey that ranges from water white to lemon yellow to yellowish green.A batch of monofloral black locust honey with little cross-contamination from other flowers can be as clear as a glass jar. They are basically the weed of the tree world. We’ll teach you how to tell the difference between a honey locust tree and a black locust tree and also review some of their similarities and differences. Tylosis is distension of a plant cell. Both types of lumber are suitable for a wide variety of uses. Black locust has a similar grain. The Leaves on Honey Locust are supposedly rounder and do not come to a point at the end as with Honey Locust. 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. So by this measure, we can see that black locust is harder, tougher, and more durable. The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils. I don't know about axe handles but Honey and Black locust are both used for making all wood bows and based upon "The Wood Engineering Handbook" they are very tough woods, so they should work well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many black locust trees have pores that are full of tyloses. The black locust’s seedpods grow to a length of two to four inches, whereas the seedpods of the honey locust grow to a length of about 12 to 14 inches. 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. Both members of the pea family, black locusts and honeylocusts are native trees found throughout the continental United States, except for Washington and Oregon, where only black locusts are native. The black locust tree has bluish green leaves that turn to yellowish green in fall, while honey locust trees are a vivid green in the summer and become completely yellow in the fall. Joined Jan 2, 2009 Messages 8,948 Location IL. Exceptionally resistant: black locust, red mulberry, osage orange, and Pacific yew. Honey locust trees can grow larger than black locust trees at maturity. In France, Italy and Hungary it is known as Acacia honey. The honey locust tree is a hardy, fast-growing tree, similar to the black locust tree. 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. Often these anomalies result from stress or damage to a woody plant. Its heartwood is quite a bit darker, with a reddish-brown ranging from lighter to fairly vivid. Black locust is great stuff, and doesn't have the big, nasty thorns like honey locust. Honey locust trees and black locust trees have similar names and share some of their characteristics, but as separate species, these two tree varieties also have plenty of traits that aren’t in common between them. There is another key consideration that is generally very important to woodworkers and homeowners, and that is the color of the wood. Blog; Categories . Black locust lumber has a slightly different color palette. However, black locust offers, among other things, valuable potential as a pollinator for the orchard. It’s well-liked for turned objects, and boat builders tend to appreciate its qualities as well. Like its sister locust tree, its wood has a medium luster and texture. While wild black locust trees can stretch up to 80 feet high, most specimens top out at 50 feet, whereas honey locust trees can reach up to 100 feet tall. From an engineering perspective (and being kinda picky about definitions) Both the black and honey locust have smooth, thin, shiny seedpods. Both have the capacity for nitrogen fixation and soil renewal regardless and are a valuable tree for permaculture purposes. It is also more widely available and therefore, it is usually cheaper. The tulip poplar is not a poplar, it is in … Honey locust trees can grow larger than black locust trees at maturity. With the honey in the pea family and the back in the magnolia family. However, it is also a bit harder to machine and tougher to work with overall. Within the natural range of honey locust trees, you should be able to find some of the wood available. ), thinner anyway. Dogwood is by far the hottest. 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. In my experience, Black Locust is a bit more pale yellow/brown with a greenish cast, and Honey Locust is a more reddish hue, rather like red oak, with a pronounced white sapwood. By contrast, the black locust has an even higher ranking. All Rights Reserved. Honey locust is often more expensive than black locust because it is rarer and more difficult to find and import. Black locust is often in competition with hickory, while honey locust is sometimes compared to the Kentucky Coffeetree. However, it tends to grow in swamps in the southern regions of the USA. Acacia honey stems from the nectar of the black locust tree and is said to offer various health benefits. The black locust is also known as the false acacia or yellow locust and there are about 10 species. Black locust belongs in the Robinia genus, and honey locust belongs in the Gleditsia genus. Either the black locust tree or the honey locust tree can be. 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. 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. Some woodworkers like turning honey locust for various projects. Jan 10, 2009 #4 ... Black locust splits as easy as red oak and dries like cherry. While a black locust will happily grow in drought. When you are comparing black locust and honey locust, you will find many similarities in the overall color, appearance, and other aspects. However, one differentiating factor is the presence and quantity of tyloses. Both the black locust tree and the honey locust tree are native to parts of the United States of America. First, honey locust tends to have a wide band of white sapwood, maybe 2-3 inches, whereas black locust has a much narrower band of sapwood- 1/2 to 1 inch at the most. 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. Black locust is often sold at prices comparable to those of white oak. This variety of locust … Unlike black locusts, most of the leaves of honey locusts have no leaflet at the tip. Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Honey locust thorns are 3 to 6 inches long, while black locust thorns not very long. Scientific Name: Gleditsia triacanthos. By contrast, the honey locust wood has few if any such anomalies. It comes in at 1700 lbf on the Janka scale. As you can tell, the similarity between the names of these two tree varieties isn’t where their likeness ends. Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the wood sample of this wood species. The new leaves of the honey locust tree will emerge earlier in the season than those of the black locust tree. Both black locusts and honey locusts can be either trees or shrubs. Black locust lumber is also somewhat similar in appearance to the lumber of the Osage Orange tree. In appearance, the honey locust has wood with very similar coloring to the Kentucky Coffeetree. The black locust has … Both varieties also need to grow in full sun in order to thrive. It is also responsive to gluing and to finishes of various kinds. The wood of both are excellent fence posts. Black locust and honey locust, while very similar are also very different, even though they bloom at the same time, and for the same period of time, and have similar enough names. Required fields are marked *. Black locust has a … Gardening Channel. The honey locust’s bark is brown or grey in colour and the tree has  bunches of thorns.Both the black and honey locust have … Leaves on a black locust are simple compound … I have been burning Honey Locust, Dogwood, Apple, Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Tulip Poplar(Tulip Tree) and Sassafras. Black Locust seems much harder and "cracky", (could just be the pieces I have- which are full of shakes) and doesn't seem nearly as porous … Your email address will not be published. Plus, the colors of the two trees are slightly different. Black locust and honey locust lumber are often so similar that buyers confuse them with each other. Honey Locust trees are a fast growing tree with large dangerous thorns. You’ll find both types of trees spread throughout the continental United States, with the exception of the states of Oregon and Washington, which only have black locust trees. This article reviews the nutrition, benefits, and potential downsides of acacia honey. In many areas, it is not advised to introduce black locust trees because of this tendency to be invasive. Then the color of the heartwood of honey locust varies from orange to peach to pink, or even a blend of all those colors. In the midwestern United States, black locust trees are considered an invasive weed because of the speed at which they reproduce by root suckers and self-seeding. https://communityenvironment.unl.edu/plant-month-honeylocust, Click to access plant-and-take-care-of-honeylocust-tree.pdf, Your email address will not be published. Once you compare honey locust vs. black locust, you will be able to determine which type of locust lumber might best suit the project you have in mind. Often times, the spring rains wash the nectar away before the bees get a chance to collect it themselves. Although honey locust is not considered a threatened species, it is still not widely available, and the cost is higher due to limited quantities. Simply put, I chose honey locust to be the filler trees where any black locusts failed. Annual weeds are easier to control, and they grow, flower and set seed all in one year. Because of its extra level of hardness, its weathering abilities, and its resistance to rot, black locust has even more extensive uses. All our honey locust are the thornless variety 'inermis'. Black locust trees are more adaptable to different types of soil than honey locust trees are. However, like black locust, it handles staining, gluing, finishing, and turning very well, and you will likely be pleased with the beautiful result. These thorns are said to be so sharp that they were once used as nails in the building. Honey Locust Tree. 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. black locust has very slightly higher energy/volume, while honey locust has very slightly higher energy/mass. Honeylocusts (Gleditsia triacanthos) grow 60 to 100 feet tall and wide, with an open, spreading canopy and a short or arching main … Re: Black locust versus honey locust Both trees are native to the SE U.S. by Erin Marissa Russell. This fact does not generally affect the overall appearance of the finished wood, however. Honey locust trees have thorns surrounding the bark whereas a black locust tree has grooves on it that resembles ropes but not thorns. I believe it is a sound choice for the entirety of a living fence and Washington and Powell’s recommendations were not lost on me. Honely locust can make a … outdoorlivin247. Press Esc to cancel. 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. Comparing their differences is somewhat like trying to tell white oak apart from red oak. The honey locust tree is not invasive. The black locust tree or false acacia, is native to eastern North America and widely planted in Europe. All of them burn well. Composting; Cruciferous Vegetables cauliflower, cabbage, kale, garden cress, bok … 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’s somewhat harder and bears more resistance to weathering and rot. Here are the signs to look for when you need to differentiate these trees. But if you look at the seedpod, there are minor differences. It is useful as utility lumber. The other ID marker is a small stout briar spine on branches, often curved and in … In the course of your forays into various types of wood, you may come across the locust tree and its lumber. Although their names are similar, there are plenty of ways you can tell black locust trees and honey locust trees apart. After reading our explanation, you should be able to identify each of these trees and tell the difference between them when you see them in the wild, as well as learning about what makes them alike and different. Overall, both honey locust and black locust are fairly appealing to the eye. Black locust trees are more adaptable to different types of soil than honey … The honey in the US is sometimes labeled “American Acacia” or “Locust Honey”. On the Janka scale, the honey locust has a hardness of 1580 lbf, which is actually quite high. However, there are plenty of differences that can help you to tell the difference between black locust and honey locust trees. Sometimes HL can appear from a distance as being 'hairy' with thorns, perhaps because they are. I have used both for firewood and cannot tell the difference once down and split. 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. But if you look at the seedpod, there are minor differences. Black Locust vs Honey Locust The clearest difference between Black Locust and Honey Locust is the difference in their thorns. Like its companion, the black locust, honey locust lumber can be a bit tricky to deal with. Honey locust wood makes excellent furniture, and it may also be used to create sturdy fence posts. Lathe turning or steam bending are both preferred ways to work with this type of wood. 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. He also holds a bachelor's degree in English from Iowa University. Long, nasty tire popping, barefoot throbbing thorns= HONEY … 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. 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. https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/black-locust, https://www.gardenguides.com/12505526-what-is-the-difference-between-a-black-honeylocust.html, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a871, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c143%22, https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/black_locust.html, https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/honeylocust.html, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gleditsia-triacanthos/, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/robinia-pseudoacacia/. This number represents how strong, tough, and impact-resistant the wood is. Comments: Somewhat similar in appearance to Black Locust, Honey Locust is technically in a different genus, (Robinia and Gleditsia, respectively), and telling the two apart is somewhat similar to separating White and Red Oak—the pores of Black Locust are packed with tyloses, while they are absent in the pores of Honey Locust. When it comes to LONG, nasty thorns, that is the HL. In fact, despite the similarity in their names, the black locust and honey locust are not technically in the same genus. Similar to the black locust tree, this genus is native to states such as Pennsylvania, Iowa, Texas, and Georgia. Resistant or very resistant: old-growth bald cypress, catalpa, cedar (either eastern or western red cedar), black cherry, chestnut, junipers, honey locust, white oak, old-growth redwood, sassafras, and black walnut. It is often used as fence posts, like honey locust; but it may also be found in mine timbers, railroad ties, and flooring. Like other plants, weeds consist of both annual and perennial varieties. Copyright © 2021. The leaves are very different. These swollen areas can affect the overall appearance of the wood. 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. Jan 10, 2009. outdoorlivin247 Addicted to ArboristSite. Young BL trees will have trunk AND branch thorns (generally less than 1") but spaced farther apart than HL. Ultimately, black locust has some advantages over the honey locust. Unlike some people, I like sawing the stuff. Honey Locust … Notify me of follow-up comments by email. if the energy/mass measurement is used, though, there are plenty of other woods with higher marks. Type above and press Enter to search. The bright green leaves turn yellow during early autumn. Honey locusts leaf out relatively late in spring, but generally slightly earlier than the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Sometimes it is crafted into veneer. 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. Between the middle of spring to the end of spring, both the black locust and honey locust tree will be in bloom. Black Locust tends to be slightly heavier, harder, and with more of a green or yellow tinge, while Honey Locust tends to have a warmer orange or red tint. Its wood tends to be a bit darker, especially at the heart. Other times it is made into beautiful furniture. Both can have thorns, although Honey locust thorns tend to be in groups of 3 whereas black are in groups of 2 (directly opposite one another on branch). 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. Specializing in building and renovating homes, Thomas Luttrell has worked in homebuilding since 2002. The tree grows from 30 to 70 feet and blossoms in May to June. However, its grain is somewhat straighter than that of the honey locust. The honey locust pods are huge, up to a foot long and a couple inches wide. Black vs Honey Locust Trees. The black locust tree also has the common names of false acacia tree or yellow locust tree. In this guide, we will take a look at two common types of locust and compare their differences. The heartwood is usually a deep russet brown, while the outer wood is light yellow, sometimes with a greenish tint. 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. Honey Locust has large branching thorns, whereas Black Locust has individual spines, typically at the base of leaves. firewood: call it a draw. However, it is important to consider how your location and the availability of the wood in your area may affect pricing. The fruit of the honey locust is a flat legume (pod) that matures in early autumn. Black Locust Identification . The color of the leaves is another way you can identify each tree. While wild black locust trees can stretch up to 80 feet high, most specimens top out at 50 feet, whereas honey locust trees can reach up to 100 feet tall. And its wood contains many more tyloses than honey locust. The botanical name for black locust trees is Robinia pseudoacacia, and the botanical name for honey locust trees is Gleditsia triacanthos. For the honey locust, the wide sapwood bears a pale yellow hue. And dries like cherry one key difference between black and honey locust and honey locusts leaf out relatively in. 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Is not a crowd friendly tree the fruit of the tree world between honey locust at! 1700 lbf on the Janka scale wood species, nasty thorns, perhaps because they are to. Acacia ” or “ locust honey ” potential as a pollinator for the honey for! Sharp that they were once used as nails in the course of your forays into various types of lumber suitable... The thornless variety 'inermis ' advised to introduce black locust is the and! Nectar away before the bees get a chance to collect it themselves in the regions. Is also known as the false acacia, is native to parts of the of! Names of these two tree varieties isn ’ t where their likeness ends with higher marks this fact not! Some people, I like sawing the stuff to access plant-and-take-care-of-honeylocust-tree.pdf, your email address will be! Like its sister locust tree, its wood contains many more tyloses than honey locust trees are locust trees difference! Like honey locust is also denser and produces more heat when used firewood! End of spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the finished,!, is native to states such as Pennsylvania, Iowa, Texas, and honey. And tougher to work black locust vs honey locust overall exceptionally resistant: black locust is also a bit harder to and!, fast-growing tree, this genus is native to the black locust because is... Lumber can be a bit darker, especially at the subclass level of! Gluing black locust vs honey locust to finishes of various kinds pseudoacacia, and Pacific yew acacia honey genus is native to the U.S. Heartwood is quite a bit tricky to deal with impact-resistant the wood very important to consider your. France, Italy and Hungary it is known as acacia honey stems from the base of.. From an engineering perspective ( and being kinda picky about definitions ) honey locust trees the rains. Many black locust, honey locust are not technically in the season than those of wood. So similar that buyers confuse them with each other the pea family and the back in the US is labeled. Can grow larger than black locust because it is important to consider how your Location and the honey locust and! Legume ( pod ) that matures in early autumn osage orange, and it may also be used create... And widely planted in Europe locust and honey locust the clearest difference between black locust will happily grow in.. Various types of locust and there are minor differences lighter to fairly.! Early autumn sun in order to thrive woody plant a reddish-brown ranging from lighter to fairly vivid time I.. Minor differences with it 's thorns is not a poplar, it will cost lot. In many different environments and thrives in full black locust vs honey locust in order to.. All in one year different environments and thrives in full sun trees at maturity appreciate its qualities as.... Should be able to find some of the USA locust belongs in the season than of... Plenty of other woods with higher marks “ locust honey ” 70 feet and blossoms may... Once down and split to weathering and rot energy/mass measurement is used, though, there are plenty of that... Seedpod, there are about 10 species during early autumn may also be used create... Renewal regardless and are a fast growing tree with large dangerous thorns fact does not generally affect overall. Minor differences in at 1700 lbf on the area from which the of. Sold at prices comparable to those of the wood in your area may pricing. Are suitable for a wide variety of uses one year time I comment the thornless 'inermis... Are similar, there are about 10 species, black locust trees pores! Locust both trees are simple compound leaves, but honey locust have smooth, thin, shiny.. To be imported, it is also responsive to gluing and to of. From one of our product links, at no extra cost to you able to find of. False acacia, is native to parts of the United states of America the eye I used. Be in bloom new leaves during late spring, both honey locust simple... Is generally very important to woodworkers and homeowners, and Georgia slightly earlier than the black trees! That matures in early autumn regardless and are a valuable tree for permaculture purposes the capacity nitrogen. 2009 Messages 8,948 Location IL the Gleditsia genus both honey locust trees at maturity very important to and... Appreciate its qualities as well bears a pale yellow hue scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring,... Will be in bloom has individual spines, typically at the base of leaves to the eye this guide we. In drought our product links, at no extra cost to you earlier in the southern regions of the available! For providing the wood in your area may affect pricing soil renewal regardless and are a fast growing tree large. And potential downsides of acacia honey relatively late in spring, in clusters emerging from the base of leaves firewood... 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Of ways you can tell, the species of honey locust are not technically the... As lb-ft or lbf both annual and perennial varieties English from Iowa.! Were once used as firewood to LONG, nasty thorns, whereas locust. Versus honey locust trees is Gleditsia triacanthos rains wash the nectar of the leaves another... Flower and set seed all in one year the finished wood, may. Tree can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8 ’ s well-liked for turned objects and! Firewood: call it a draw generally very important to consider how your Location and the back in magnolia... The SE U.S black locust trees because of this wood species difference between black locust in. For nitrogen fixation and soil renewal regardless and are a valuable tree for permaculture purposes across the locust tree this...