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Black locust trees are native to the Northeastern United States. Black locust produce flower clusters that bloom in early summer. They are drought tolerant and grow quickly. During periods of drought black locust trees can reduce leaf area to decrease surface transpiration. Black locust are early successional species and prefer habitats that have open canopies and sandy soils.

 

Black locusts are part of the pea family (Fabaceae). Black locusts are legumes and their roots fix nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is a process by which certain bacteria in the soil attach onto certain plant species roots (like legumes) and transfer nitrogen. Nitrogen is then stored in the plant, with some lost to the surrounding soil. Nitrogen fixing plants like black locust serve important ecological functions when they store atmospheric nitrogen and excess soil nutrients.