Black Locust Fragrant Floweing Tree

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

Yesterday, I was able to get some terrific shots of one of my favorite trees, the Black Locust. It's at the bottom of my driveway. You can immediately tell you're getting close by the sweet aroma that fills the air! I'll go ahead and apologize for the long post. I could've kept on writing even more, as there's so many fun facts about this beauty.

Stragely enough, this tree is a member of the pea family. It's bark is reddish brown to black in color. However, what's most noticeable about them is their LARGE, GORGEOUS, GRAPE LIKE hanging bunches of flowers!

Though typically white, these flowers can also be pink and purple! I didn't know this fact about the tree before. Now, I'm sure this was the tree I kept seeing growing along the roadsides in Nashville!

Since this tree can grow anywhere from 60-80 feet tall, sometimes it can be difficult to photograph the hanging branches. However, I got very lucky, finding one with branches drooping to about 30 feet.

This tree is unique in the fact that its leaves grow on alternate stems. They may have a pair of sharp thorns growing at each node. However, the leaves themselves are rounded at the ends and quite smooth.

It also produces seed pod fruits. These are dried legumes with 4-7 seeds. These seeds are self sowing, as they can be carried great distances by the wind.

This tree is Native to a VERY SPECIFIC part of the US, although some have been transplanted to a couple other areas. It's found on the lower slopes of the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsylvania to Alabama. I found a map while searching that illustrates this.

The flowers provide a beautiful fragrance that attracts many pollinators. Producing abundant amounts of sweet nectar, this makes it tremendously important to honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Its scent has been compared to a vanilla like jasmine aroma.

Many different songbirds use the branches to build their nests. They also eat the caterpillars and other bugs that enjoy feeding off the leaves.

White tail deer, squirrels and rabbits are also known to eat the foliage and seed pods.

Once again, this is another wild edible! It's been said that these flowers are the best tasting flower ever. Having a taste similar to sugar snap peas, but with an intense sweet smell. Unfortunately the harvest time is very short to get the flowers at their best, approximately two weeks. Luckily, the blooms can be frozen or dried and stored.

They may be quickly sautéed in coconut oil and served alongside sweet corn, used in salads, infused for teas, added to dairy, and used to make desserts. It's also responsible for some of the BEST tasting honey that's used for fighting seasonal allergies.

Since this tree can be invasive, it's recommended to plant away from others. It's terrific for combating soil erosion. It's lumber is also very sturdy and extremely rot resistant, making it a natural substitute for treated wood. It can sell for very high prices.

I've always loved this tree. It's ornamental value is second to none, as is its usefulness to the wildlife of the area.

This pic of the seed pods shows what happens later on. I didn't take this one, as they're not at this stage yet.

Estellee · ‎07-12-2011

@cheriere Thank you for more beautiful photos. I can almost smell it as you were describing. You always give us perfect attention to details.

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@Estellee

Thank you so much.💝

I really love this tree. I have so many pics that wouldn't fit, I had to resize. I hoped you'd be able to get a good sense of how beautiful it looks and smells.

Thank you again.😊

Estellee · ‎07-12-2011

@cheriere You're welcome, just stunning!

Natureluvr · ‎06-14-2018

@cheriere- I love it!

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@Natureluvr wrote:
@cheriere- I love it!

Thank you.😊💝

I'm really glad you like it too.

LadybugDG · ‎02-13-2024

Beautiful!! Love the flowers and the leaves, very pretty. I would love the scent the way you described it.

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@LadybugDG

Thank you.💝🌸

I'm really happy you like it. I'd been waiting for the blooms to be just so before posting about it. I wish I could've posted some of my pics of the whole tree, but it wouldn't accept them because of their size.

I really think it's one of the prettiest trees ever.