Black Locust Seedlings (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Black Locust Seedlings for Sale: Bulk Robinia pseudoacacia for Windbreaks, Erosion Control and Fence-Post Woodlots Black locust seedlings (Robinia pseudoacacia) are bare-root young trees of a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing native legume that matures at 30–50 feet in USDA zones 4–8 and full sun. TN Nursery sells black locust seedlings in packs of 100 or 500, 6–12 or 12–18 inches tall, for about 80 cents to $1.15 per seedling. Black locust, also called yellow locust and false acacia, is a legume-family (Fabaceae) tree native to the Appalachian Mountains and the Ozarks, planted in bulk for generations to hold soil, feed honeybees and grow fence posts. At our Altamont, Tennessee nursery, we grow black locust seedlings in field rows, lift them while dormant and bundle them by height grade, so every seedling in a pack starts out even. Botanical name: Robinia pseudoacacia, legume family (Fabaceae) Pack sizes: 100 seedlings or 500 seedlings Seedling heights: 6–12 inches or 12–18 inches, shipped bare root Mature size: 30–50 feet tall and 20–35 feet wide Growth rate: very fast, often 2–4 feet per year when young Flowers: fragrant white, pea-like clusters in May–June, a strong honeybee nectar flow Best uses: windbreaks, erosion control, land reclamation, fence-post woodlots, honeybee forage How Much Do Black Locust Seedlings Cost? Black locust seedlings cost between about $0.80 and $1.15 each at TN Nursery, depending on pack size and height. The 500-seedling pack of 6–12 inch black locust is the lowest price per tree for windbreak and reclamation projects. Seedling height Pack Pack price Price per seedling 6–12 inches 100 seedlings $91.99 about $0.92 6–12 inches 500 seedlings $401.99 about $0.80 12–18 inches 100 seedlings $114.99 about $1.15 12–18 inches 500 seedlings $516.99 about $1.03 How Many Black Locust Seedlings Do You Need Per Acre? A solid black locust planting uses about 436 seedlings per acre at 10 × 10 foot spacing, or about 681 seedlings per acre at 8 × 8 feet for faster cover on bare or eroding ground. Wider 12-foot spacing, about 303 seedlings per acre, suits a fence-post woodlot where each tree needs room for a straight trunk. Planting goal Spacing Black locust seedlings per acre Steep slope or gully stabilization 6 × 6 feet about 1,210 Reclamation and quick cover 8 × 8 feet about 681 General reforestation 10 × 10 feet about 436 Fence-post or firewood woodlot 12 × 12 feet about 303 Why Plant Black Locust Seedlings on Worn-Out or Eroding Ground? Black locust seedlings rebuild poor ground because root nodules on black locust host bacteria that pull nitrogen from the air and feed it into the soil. Each leaf that drops adds that nitrogen back to the surface, so a black locust stand steadily enriches worn-out pasture, old fields and disturbed sites. Black locust roots spread wide and send up new shoots that knit a slope together into a dense, living mat, which is why black locust has long been a first choice for gullies, road cuts and reclaimed mine land. Seedlings thrive in sand, gravel, clay and rocky soil. Can You Grow Your Own Fence Posts From Black Locust Seedlings? Yes. A black locust woodlot planted from seedlings grows its own fence posts, because black locust heartwood is dense, hard and among the most naturally rot-resistant woods in North America. Post size often comes in roughly 15 to 20 years. A black locust woodlot also renews itself. When a tree is cut for posts, the stump and roots sprout vigorous new stems, so one planting can be harvested again and again. Are Black Locust Seedlings Good for Honeybees? Yes. Black locust trees grown from seedlings produce a heavy nectar flow in May and June, when hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers cover the branches. Beekeepers sell the pale, mild honey from black locust as acacia honey. Black locust plantings often start blooming within about 4 to 6 years, and a row of black locust along a field edge feeds honeybees, bumblebees and native bees for several weeks each spring. Quail and songbirds eat the seeds in winter. How Do You Plant Black Locust Seedlings in a Windbreak? Plant black locust windbreak rows with seedlings 8 to 10 feet apart, rows 12 to 16 feet apart, on the side of a field, home or barn that faces the prevailing wind. Pair the fast black locust row with an evergreen row for winter protection. Plant while dormant, soon after arrival, after soaking the roots for an hour or two. Open a slit or hole deep enough that the roots hang straight down without bending. Set each black locust seedling at the same depth it grew in our field, with the root collar at soil level, and firm the soil. Clear grass from a 3-foot circle around each seedling and mulch 2 to 3 inches deep. For a single specimen or yard tree, our larger black locust trees give a head start on bloom and shade. What Grows Well With Black Locust Seedlings? Other sun-loving natives sold as bulk seedlings grow well beside black locust seedlings. Pair black locust with honey locust seedlings for a two-locust hedgerow, and add an evergreen windbreak row of loblolly pine seedlings in the South or white pine seedlings farther north. Staghorn sumac seedlings help hold dry banks, and American persimmon seedlings add fall fruit for deer and wildlife. Browse more bulk species in our tree seedlings and fast growing trees collections. Planting & Growing Information Botanical Name: Robinia pseudoacaciaPlant Family: Fabaceae (legume family)Ships: Bare root, packs of 100 or 500, 6–12 or 12–18 inches; ships between November 15 and 29Planting Zone: 4–8Height at Maturity: 30–50 feetSpread: 20–35 feetGrowth Rate: Very fast, often 2–4 feet per year when youngSpacing: 6–8 feet for erosion control; 8–10 feet in windbreak rows; 10–12 feet for woodlotsSun or Shade: Full sunWater Needs: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once establishedSoil: Sandy, gravelly, rocky, clay or lean soils, acidic to alkalineBloom Season: May–JuneFlower Color: White, fragrantNative Range: Appalachian and Ozark regions of the eastern United StatesCare: Water weekly the first summer, keep a 3-foot mulched circle around each seedling and train woodlot trees to one trunk in late winter. No fertilizer needed.Plant Attributes: Fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, honeybee forage, durable rot-resistant wood, holds soil on slopes Black Locust Seedlings FAQ How fast do black locust seedlings grow? Black locust seedlings grow very fast, commonly adding 2 to 4 feet per year in full sun once their roots settle in. What zones do black locust seedlings grow in? Black locust seedlings are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, across most of the eastern, central and northwestern United States. Do black locust seedlings fix nitrogen? Yes. Black locust is a legume, and bacteria in black locust root nodules convert nitrogen from the air into a form that enriches the surrounding soil. Is black locust a hardwood? Yes. Black locust is a dense native hardwood with naturally rot-resistant heartwood, prized for fence posts, decking and firewood. How far apart should you plant black locust seedlings? Plant black locust seedlings 6 to 8 feet apart for erosion control, 8 to 10 feet apart in windbreak rows and 10 to 12 feet apart for a fence-post woodlot. Grown and Shipped by TN Nursery TN Nursery has grown hardy native plants since 1959, more than 65 years of experience, and has supplied plants to major U.S. landmarks like the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery. Farmers, beekeepers and reclamation crews order black locust seedlings from our Altamont, Tennessee fields by the hundred, packed with damp roots so they go into the ground ready to grow. Related reading: Black Locust vs Honey Locust, How to Plant Seedlings for Large-Scale Production and The Benefits of Native Plants for Bees.