Thread: Black Locust for long bows

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

There has been a lot of trial work done on Robinia in NZ, and the results have indicated that it produces extremely well here, but only on fertile, sheltered sites that would also grow great horticultural crops. Most people, given the choice between making an income from kiwifruit or from Robinia, would probably bypass Robinia. @annzer has his in a great spot. I have tried to grow them here on the coastal hills only 25kms or so from annzer in a straight line, but my trees get blasted by wind, damaged by possums and deer, and generally are slow and fussy and totally outclassed by the durable eucs which have similar timber properties. I wish the breeding program that went into poplars and willows had covered Robinia as well, and developed a wind-tolerant, thornless clone. They are trees with some great attributes; N-fixing, amazing bee fodder, attractive and durable.

The bark is poisonous to cattle