What is honey locust wood good for?
- Weight: Honey locust is heavier than other woods, including Sweetgum, Pine, Fir, and Red cedar. ...
- BTU: It has a BTU of 26.7 million while woods like American elm has a BTU of 20.3 – 21.3 million per cord.
- Smell: It has a slightly fragrant smell that may not be noticed, while trees like apples and pine have a sweet smell.
What is locust tree wood used for?
Polishes and varnishes without difficulty. Locust provides as a good wear-resistant surface, which takes a fairly good polish. Locust is a wood of decorative appearance suitable for use in the manufacture of high-grade furniture, cabinet work, decorative joinery and veneer.
Is honey locust good firewood?
The honey locust is excellent firewood to be used both in a fireplace or outdoors. It is good firewood for several reasons, including its burning ability while producing a low amount of smoke. Furthermore, It burns for longer than most woods and produces good hot coal.
How do you get rid of honey locust trees?
Spray basal part of brush or trees to a height of 15 to 20 inches above the ground. Thoroughly wet all basal bark areas, including crown buds and ground sprouts. A thorough spraying that includes spraying until run-off at the ground line is noticed is necessary to hinder re-sprouting.
Is locust a hardwood or softwood?
The black locust tree is a hardwood but it's unique because it grows faster than most softwoods. Even though the tree grows extremely fast, it still produces tough, dense, heavy firewood.
Do honey locust trees make good lumber?
Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, is a great American wood for the 4th of July week! The tree can reach a height of 65 to 100 feet and produce dense and durable lumber that works well and takes a nice polish.
Can you burn honey locust wood?
Honey locust turns out to be a pretty optimal firewood (as long as you're careful not to jab yourself with the thorns). At 26.7 million BTUs per cord, it burns nearly as hot as black locust (27.9) and is much easier to split. I'm so glad to have such an excellent keep-the-fire-going wood close at hand!
Is locust wood harder than oak?
Under equal circumstances of wear and tear, spokes made of locust wood were perfectly sound, while those of oak required to be replaced. It is the most durable of all our hardwoods; taking white oak as the standard of 100 percent, black locust has a durability of 250 percent.
How strong is honey locust wood?
What is this? On the Janka scale, the honey locust has a hardness of 1580 lbf, which is actually quite high. By contrast, the black locust has an even higher ranking. It comes in at 1700 lbf on the Janka scale.
Is honey locust wood expensive?
Pricing/Availability: Not widely or commonly available, limited quantities of Honey Locust are sometimes available within its natural range. Prices are likely to be in the mid to upper range for a domestic hardwood.
What is a honey locust tree used for?
Honey locust wood is very dense, shock resistant, and commonly used in the timber industry. The durable wood is often used for fence posts, railroad ties, pallets, tool handles, and fuel, given that it can be easily split and is rot-resistant.
Is locust wood valuable?
Prices for these products range from $1 – $3 per linear foot for whole posts, and from $1.50 – $3.50/board foot for milled lumber, which is far above the prices for most conventional hardwood lumber.
Can you burn locust wood in a fireplace?
BTU of Black Locust Firewood That means that it burns hotter than many preferred firewoods. Black Locust burns longer than other types of wood as well. It also makes the most excellent coals. Black Locust firewood is perfect for throwing into the fireplace for overnight burning.
Is locust tree a hardwood tree?
Black Locust wood is a hardwood with a Janka hardness scale of 1,700 lbf (7,560 N).
Can you build with locust wood?
In fact, it's often used as a construction material for buildings. It's also resistant to rot, insects, and decay. This makes it ideal as an outdoor building material since it won't rot in the rain or succumb to insects. Black locust wood is also a great choice for furniture.
What is the toughest wood in the world?
Australian Buloke1. Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.
Where does water locust grow?
A related species, Water Locust (Gleditsia aquatica), grows in swamps in the southeast United States, and has similar wood properties and anatomy. Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Mike Leigher for providing the wood sample of this wood species. Honey Locust (sanded)
What is the color of heartwood?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a medium to light reddish brown. Wide sapwood is a light yellow, clearly distinguished from the heartwood. Very similar in appearance to Kentucky Coffeetree. Grain/Texture: Grain is usually straight or slightly irregular, with a medium uneven texture. Moderate natural luster.
Is honey locust rot resistant?
Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to durable; susceptible to insect attacks. Workability: Honey Locust can be difficult to work with hand and machine tools on account of its density, though it generally produces good results. Turns, glues, stains, and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor.
Is honey locust available?
Pricing/Availability: Not widely or commonly available, limited quantities of Honey Locust are sometimes available within its natural range. Prices are likely to be in the mid to upper range for a domestic hardwood.
Is honey locust wood good for anything?
The Osage Indians traditionally used honey locust wood to make bows. Today, woodworkers make the wood into crossties, poles, fence rails, flooring, furniture, millwork, and veneer.
Is Honey Locust Hardwood or Softwood?
The honey locust tree is hardwood. I can equate its mechanical properties to red oak wood. This wood has a density of about 670 kilograms per cubic meter.
What Grain and Color is Honey Locust Wood?
The wood is known for its reddish-brown color. The heartwood of honey locust trees has a medium to a light brown that appears reddish.
How Does Honey Locust Wood Dry?
Some honey locust wood pieces are large. These require splitting for efficient drying. Perfect drying takes up to a year when you have the size in check.
Can You Burn Honey Locust Wood?
Honey locust wood is excellent for burning. Just be careful to avoid the thorns, and you’ll be fine.
Can You Smoke with Honey Locust Wood?
Yes, you can. It is hardwood and will burn for a long time. Remember that the wood burns very hot, so you must keep checking on your meats or vegetables. You sure don’t want to serve your guests’ burnt meat.
How Workable is Honey Locust Wood?
Honey locust wood does not work well with hand tools. It’s rather difficult to plane and hard on saws and other edged tools.
How tall is a honey locust?
The honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–98 ft). They exhibit fast growth, but live a medium-long life span of about 120 years. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1 in) (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green.
How long are honey locust thorns?
Honey locusts commonly have thorns 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) long growing out of the branches, some reaching lengths over 20 cm (8 in); these may be single, or branched into several points, and commonly form dense clusters.
What is a thorny locust?
Gleditsia. Species: G. triacanthos. Binomial name. Gleditsia triacanthos. L. Native range. The honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ), also known as the thorny locust or thorny honeylocust, is a deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae, native to central North America where it is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys.
When do honey locusts turn yellow?
They turn yellow in the autumn. Honey locusts leaf out relatively late in spring, but generally slightly earlier than the black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ). The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils .
Do locusts grow in wood?
Timber. Honey locusts produce a high quality, durable wood that polishes well , but the tree does not grow in sufficient numbers to support a bulk industry. However, a niche market exists for honey locust furniture. It is also used for posts and rails because of the dense, rot-resistant nature of the wood.
Do street trees have thorns?
Spider mites, cankers, and galls are a problem with some trees. Many cultivated varieties do not have t horns.
Is honey locust a weed?
In much of the Midwest of the United States the honey locust is also considered a weed tree and a pest that establishes itself in farm fields. In other regions of the world, ranchers and farmers who employ monocropping deem honey locust a nuisance weed; its fast growth allows it to out-compete grasses and other crops.
What is a honey locust?
Honey locust is a popular deciduous landscaping tree, especially in cities, where it is used for shade and because the small leaves do not need to be collected in the fall . A little bit of honey locust information is all you need to start growing this tree in your yard.
How tall does a honey locust tree grow?
In the wild this tree will grow up to 100 feet (30 m.) and beyond, but in landscaping it usually tops out at 30 to 70 feet (9 to 21 m.). The leaves of the honey locust are compound, with several small leaflets on a single stem. These small leaflets turn yellow in fall.
Where do honey locusts grow?
What is a Honey Locust? Honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos) is a tree that is native to parts of the eastern U.S., as far north as Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and as far west as Texas and Nebraska, but it can grow in many areas.
Can you buy a locust tree from a nursery?
When you buy a tree from your nursery, find out what to look for and what steps you should take to prevent infestations, if possible. Unfortunately, the truth is that honey locust has been overused in landscaping and avoiding all pests or diseases may not be possible . As a result, your tree may be short-lived as compared to its native counterpart ...
Can honey locusts tolerate salt?
Make sure you create a large hole for your tree because honey locust has a large, coarse root ball. It will tolerate a variety of soils, but avoid salt, higher pH levels, and drought conditions to avoid the stress that will make it more vulnerable to disease and pest infestations.
Do locust trees have thorns?
The tree naturally grows long, sharp thorns but, again, if you’re interested in growing honey locust trees, there are cultivars that do not have thorns.
Do honey locusts turn yellow?
These small leaflets turn yellow in fall. They are too small to pick up, but they also will not block drains, and this has made the tree popular for city street landscaping. The honey locust does produce large, dark brown, twisted seed pods in the fall, which can create a mess. Picking them up is advised, but you can find cultivars ...
What is honey locust lumber?
Honey Locust Lumber. Honey Locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos) is a small to medium size tree that originated in North America. Honey Locust wood has little sapwood and heartwood which is honey brown in color and does not support the darker grain color found in Black Locust. Honey Locust lumber has a straight grain with a coarse texture.
Is honey locust the same as red oak?
Therefore, could be used as a substitute for many of the same applications as Red Oak, which includes cabinet making, furniture, millwork, molding and other general constructions.
Varieties Of Locust
Locust wood has two main varieties: black locust firewood and honey locust firewood. While these two trees are very similar and are excellent firewoods, there are slight differences between the two.
Heat Output And Efficiency
Honey locust is an excellent wood for burning because of their hardwood nature. It has a BTU of 26.7 million per cord. It burns hot and produces high-quality red coals that are good for cooking both in and outdoors.
Fire Characteristics
Honey locust has minimum creosote buildup because it burns hot and has low sap content. This is why it is good for indoor use.
Is It Okay To Burn Honey Locust In A Fireplace?
Yes, it is okay to burn honey locusts in a fireplace. It has a slightly fragrant smell, it produces low smoke and really low levels of creosote. This is why it is ideal for burning it in a fireplace.
How Long To Season Honey Locust Firewood?
Honey locusts should be seasoned for at least a year (12 months). For better heat output and fire quality, it is recommended to season it for 18-24 months. Firewood is considered to be seasoned if the moisture content is less than 20%.
Is Honey Locust Firewood Expensive?
There is no fixed cost price for honey locust firewood and other firewoods. The price fluctuates due to changes in the market like supply and demand. However, one cord of honey locust firewood (128 cubic feet) costs around $300-$600.
How Does Honey Locust Compare To Other Firewoods
Honey locust does not burn as hot as black locust firewood. There is a solid 1.2 million difference in their BTU per cord.
What type of tree is a locust?
Types of Locust Tree: Identify Locust Trees with Pictures. Written by Lindsey Glenn in Tree. Locust trees belong to a family of flowering plants called Fabaceae, they are fast growing. The locust trees have good hardwood and extraordinarily colorful flowers, which bloom in spring.
How big are honey locust pods?
The pods of the tree are largest in size ranging from 10 inches to 18 inches. Being that long and flat, often, the seed pods also get twisted. The tree derives its name, honey locust tree, because of the sweet taste of these pods. The USDA suggests zone 4 through 9 as being the most suitable for this species.
How tall is a black locust?
The black locust has smaller pods: sized from two to four inches. The pods have a leathery texture and are dark red to black in color. Next to the honey locust, this is the tallest of the locust tree with a height of 70 feet. The thorns are present where the leaves join the stem.
What is the family of locusts?
The locust tree has many natural varieties and cultivars, and all of them belong to one of the two genera of the locust tree, namely, Robinia or Gleditsia. One of the most famous representatives of the Robinia genus is the Black Locust tree. The famous Honey locust tree belongs to the family Gedistisia.
How big do locust trees get?
It is the largest of the locust tree variety, which can go up to 80 feet in height. The flowers are greenish-yellow in color and not so attractive as other locust trees. The flowers bloom in the late spring and early summer. It has the biggest and the fiercest of thorns. They come in branches and can be 20 inches long. The pods of the tree are largest in size ranging from 10 inches to 18 inches. Being that long and flat, often, the seed pods also get twisted. The tree derives its name, honey locust tree, because of the sweet taste of these pods. The USDA suggests zone 4 through 9 as being the most suitable for this species.
What animals eat black locusts?
Animals, like cattle, deer, rabbits, and squirrels, love eating it. The black locusts have smaller pods of about 4 inches, but it contains up to 14 seeds. These pods are not edible. The Mexican locust tree and the bristly locust tree have smaller pods around 2 inches long with hairs on them.
What are the characteristics of a locust tree?
The most prominent identification feature of a locust tree is its unique thorns, the pods, the sweetly fragrant flowers, and the leaves. In the spring, you can see sweet fragrant pea-shaped flowers hanging in clusters all over the tree. The flowers are generally white or pink in color.
About Honey Locust Wood
Honey locust is considered a beautiful tree, so long as you can get past the thorns. It is coarse and has pink wood, much like the more common red oak. This tree type is most often found within the south-eastern and middle United States, but it isn’t one of the more popular wood types in the nation.
Honey Locust Wood as Firewood
Generally speaking, honey locust wood can make good firewood. Even though it is not the most popular type to throw in a campfire, you certainly won’t go wrong with it. It has a relatively good BTU rating, and it is incredibly dense.
Burning Honey Locust Wood
Now that we’ve learned that honey locust makes pretty decent firewood, let’s look at the specific characteristics of burning this wood type.
Downsides of Honey Locust Wood as Firewood
In addition to the unique smell, honey locust wood has some other downsides when being used as firewood as well. We’ve already mentioned these downsides once, but let’s take a closer look at them in more detail.
Should I Use Honey Locust as Firewood?
Because of the high heat index and dense properties of honey locust wood, this wood type really is a great idea to use as firewood. It will keep you warm and burn for a long time. These are two of the most important characteristics to think about when selecting firewood.
Final Thoughts
Even though honey locust is not one of the more popular firewood types, you can certainly use this wood for your campfire.
Overview
The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), also known as the thorny locust or thorny honeylocust, is a deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae, native to central North America where it is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys. Honey locust is highly adaptable to different environments, has been introduced worldwide, and is an aggressive, invasive species.
Description
The honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (65–100 ft). They exhibit fast growth, but live a medium life span of about 120 years. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5 cm (1⁄2–1 in) (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green. They turn yellow in the autumn. Honey locu…
Cultivation and history
Its cultivars are popular ornamental plants, especially in the northern plains of North America where few other trees can survive and prosper. It tolerates urban conditions, compacted soil, road salt, alkaline soil, heat, and drought. The popularity is in part due to the fact that it transplants so easily. The fast growth rate and tolerance of poor site conditions make it valued in areas where shade is wanted quickly, such as new parks or housing developments, and in disturbed and recl…
Uses
The pulp on the inside of the pods is edible (unlike the black locust, which is toxic) and consumed by wildlife and livestock.
Despite its name, the honey locust is not a significant honey plant. The name derives from the sweet taste of the legume pulp, which was used for food and traditional medicine by Native American people, and can also be used to make t…
Nitrogen fixation
The ability of Gleditsia to fix nitrogen is disputed. Many scientific sources state that Gleditsia does not fix nitrogen. Some support this statement with the fact that Gleditsia does not form root nodules with symbiotic bacteria, the assumption being that without nodulation, no nitrogen fixation can occur. In contrast, many popular sources, permaculture publications in particular, claim that Gleditsia does fix nitrogen but by some other mechanism.
Research
In research using databases, more than 60 phytochemicals were identified from honey locust, including polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and saponins, with in vitro studies assessing for possible biological activity.
Further reading
• Blair, RM. (1990). "Gleditsia triacanthos". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Hardwoods. Silvics of North America. Washington, D.C.: United States Forest Service (USFS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Vol. 2 – via Southern Research Station.
• Little EL. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees—Western Region. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 640. ISBN 978-0-394-50761-3.
External links
• Media related to Gleditsia triacanthos at Wikimedia Commons
• Gleditsia triacanthos images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
• Gleditsia triacanthos images at Forestry Images
• Gleditsia triacanthos at the USDA Plants Database