Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly called black locust, is medium sized deciduous tree that typically grows to 30-50’ (less frequently to 80’) tall. It is native to the Allegheny Mountains in the west-central Appalachian Mountains. It will grow as a broadly columnar single trunk tree with a narrow oblong crown. It is noted for its attractive compound leaves and pendant racemes of pea-like flowers. Branches are usually armed with short paired spines (to 1.25” long). Pinnate dark blue-green leaves, with each leaf having up to 23 lance-shaped to ovate leaflets. Leaves turn uneventful yellow in fall. Fragrant wisteria-like white flowers in pendant racemes (to 8” long) bloom in late spring. Bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers are followed by smooth, flat, purple-brown seed pods (to 4-5” long). This species is also commonly called common locust, yellow locust, white locust, green locust, pea flower locust and false acacia. Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade, but avoid shady locations. Tolerates a wide range of soils including sandy or nearly barren ones. Best performance is in moist, organically rich loams. Good drought tolerance. Fixes nitrogen. Black locust is generally considered to be a very easy-to-grow tree. It thrives in many difficult growing conditions.