Wood Species Guide
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Also called: Yellow Locust, False Acacia, Robinia, Shipmast Locust, Post Locust
What Black Locust looks like
Heartwood is greenish yellow to golden when cut and darkens toward a russet brown over time. The narrow sapwood is pale yellow. It fluoresces under a blacklight.
Grain and texture
Usually straight with a medium to coarse texture and open pores. Flatsawn boards show a bold pattern similar to ash.
Working Black Locust: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard and tough, so it is not easy to hand-tool, but it machines cleanly with carbide. It can be hard on blades. It glues adequately and holds screws very well with pre-drilling. It steam bends well.
Finishing Black Locust: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes well. The green-gold color shifts toward brown, faster in sun. Seal the open pores before an epoxy flood coat.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable and highly resistant to rot and insects, one of the best native woods for ground contact. It is reasonably stable once dry. That makes it a strong domestic choice for Florida outdoor benches, raised beds and posts.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
When a customer wants a native wood for outdoor furniture that will not rot, black locust is the honest answer. It is also good for boat parts and garden structures. Boards are often narrow and knotty, so plan glue-ups. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Black Locust
Fence posts, outdoor furniture, decking, boat building, turned objects, flooring, and garden structures.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Rated Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is considered invasive in parts of the world where it was introduced.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Nausea or headache
The dust can irritate eyes and skin, and some people report nausea. The bark and leaves contain toxic proteins, so strip the bark and keep shavings away from livestock.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask; gloves; debark logs before milling
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Reported reactions include eye and skin irritation, and less often nausea. The bark and leaves contain toxic proteins. Use dust collection and a mask.
Black Locust in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Black Locust listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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