black locust, arguably the best tree to plant

[paul wheaton]

I interview Alexandra King, Brian Kerkvliet and Mark Vander Meer about how awesome Black Locusts are.

Good fodder for ruminants, excellent bee nectar, the best wood for outdoor furniture, fence posts, pole structures, and the handles for many tools. Fast growing and tolerates all sorts of awful conditions. And one of the very best firewoods.

http://www.youtube.com/paulwheaton12#p/u/0/du9LeeYX1o8

 

[Denim Deb]

Paul, I don't know where they got their info from, but black locust is poisonous! It should not grow where you have livestock.

This is just one link I've found on the tree.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Toxicity_of_Black_Locust.html

 

[valmom]

There is also something killing off local Locust trees up here- don't know if they are black locust or not, but they are hard to keep alive. We have some magnificent old Locust trees in our town that are dying off.

 

[paul wheaton]

Studies have shown great success in giving goats and sheep a diet of up to 50% black locust.

Yes, it is toxic. And so is alfalfa! This is a rich and sophisticated area.

In a nutshell, if your animal has access to a plethora of food variety, they will not poison themselves - they will eat the food that is best for them at the moment. The risk of poisoning an animal comes when food becomes scarce and selection is limited.

 

[Denim Deb]

From what I've read on black locust, even if there is other food available, they will STILL eat the black locust, especially the young shoots. And while rare, death can and does occur. Young children have been sickened from eating it. Personally, it is a risk I would not take.

Here's another link.

http://www.cookiebabyinc.com/poisonousplants/blacklocust.html

 

[Up-the-Creek]

We have over 30 acres with many black locust trees. We use them for everything,..fence posts, firewood,...they make great firewood,..burns hot. Our bees love them when they bloom too.
We have always had livestock of one sort or another here and never have had any issues with anything being poisoned. There are many toxic plants and trees,..but like someone said an animal will not eat that unless they are at the point of starving. Black locust, hemlock, buckeye, and even black walnut can do harm in one fashion or another.
Black locust is a great tree to have available,..there are many uses for it and they do grow very fast.