Flowering Black Locust Tree – Live Bare Root Plant 12-18 Inch

The Flowering Black Locust Tree, botanically known as Robinia pseudoacacia, is a fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its fragrant, pea-like white blossoms that hang in graceful clusters in late spring. Its airy, compound foliage casts light shade, making it a useful choice for woodland edges, naturalized areas, and larger landscapes where a tough, adaptable tree is desired.

This live bare root plant arrives at 12-18 inches tall, ready to be planted during its dormant season. Black locust is valued for its rapid establishment, nitrogen-fixing root system, and tolerance of poor, dry soils. It can serve as a quick-growing shade tree, a pollinator-friendly flowering tree, or part of a windbreak or erosion-control planting on suitable sites.

Plant Features

• Fragrant white flower clusters in late spring
• Fast-growing deciduous tree with compound green leaves
• Nitrogen-fixing roots that can improve soil over time
• Tolerant of poor, dry, and rocky soils once established
• Attracts bees and other pollinators when in bloom

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Robinia pseudoacacia
• Plant Type: Deciduous flowering tree
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry, rocky ground
• Water Requirements: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Growth Habit: Upright, spreading canopy
• Bloom Season: Late spring
• Mature Height: Can reach 30-50 feet or more in ideal conditions
• Spacing: Plant at least 20-30 feet from structures and other trees

Planting & Care

Plant your bare root Black Locust as soon as possible after arrival, while it is still dormant. Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. Choose a site in full sun with well-drained soil. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots naturally, set the plant so the root collar sits at or slightly below ground level, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Apply a layer of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.

Water regularly during the first growing season to help the tree establish, then reduce watering as it becomes more drought-tolerant. Black locust generally needs little fertilizer and performs best in lean to average soils. Prune only to remove dead or damaged wood and to shape the tree when young. Note that all parts of the plant, especially seeds and bark, are toxic if ingested, and the tree can spread by root suckers, so site it where naturalizing is acceptable.

What's Included

One live Black Locust bare root plant, approximately 12-18 inches tall.