Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia'
ABOUT
The Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia', commonly known as the 'Frisia' Black Locust, is a vibrant deciduous tree known for its striking foliage and ornamental appeal. Throughout the seasons, this tree puts on a show with its changing leaf colors. In spring, the foliage emerges as a bright, golden-yellow, creating a stunning contrast against the landscape. As the leaves mature, they transition into a fresh green shade with a luminous yellow tint that catches the sunlight, providing a bright canopy. The leaves themselves are pinnate, meaning they are composed of multiple leaflets arranged on either side of a central stem. Each leaf carries pairs of these leaflets, giving the foliage a fine, feathery texture. The leaves rustle gently in the breeze, adding a tactile element to its display. In springtime, the 'Frisia' Black Locust blooms with clusters of fragrant, pea-like flowers. These flowers are typically a white or pale pink color, hanging elegantly in wisteria-like racemes that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After the flowering period, the tree produces seed pods which further add to its ornamental value. The bark of the 'Frisia' Black Locust is deeply furrowed, providing textural interest and a rugged contrast to the softness of its leaves. The bark's coloration is typically dark, which stands out against the brightness of the foliage. Throughout autumn, the leaves shift again, taking on hues ranging from yellow to orange, providing a warm display before they drop with the onset of winter. Even after the leaves fall, the tree's silhouette, with its upright branches and distinctive bark, ensures that it remains an attractive feature in the landscape during the colder months.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Frisia Black Locust, Frisia False Acacia
Common names
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia'
ToxicityTo humans
The Black locust tree is considered toxic to humans. All parts of the Black locust, especially the bark and seeds, contain toxic compounds, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases can lead to depressed heart and circulatory system function if ingested in large quantities. The young plant and fresh leaves contain lower concentrations of the toxic compounds. Accidental ingestion should be considered serious and medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Like in humans, the Black locust tree is toxic to pets. If pets consume any part of the Black locust, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and depression. Especially concerning are the seeds and bark, which contain the highest concentrations of toxic compounds. Pets that consume significant quantities of the tree parts may suffer more severe reactions and could potentially face life-threatening conditions. If you suspect your pet has ingested Black locust, seek veterinary care immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Yellow-green
Flower color
White
Height
50 feet (15 meters)
Spread
25 feet (7.5 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Southeastern United States
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Features striking golden-yellow foliage that adds vibrant color to any landscape.
- Shade Provider: Large canopy offers shade in gardens and on streets during hot summers.
- Nitrogen Fixation: Improves soil fertility through its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
- Fall Color: Leaves turn a mixture of orange, gold, and green in the autumn for seasonal interest.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, has good tolerance to periods of drought.
- Wildlife Support: Flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators, while seed pods are food for birds.
- Erosion Control: Deep root system helps stabilize soil and control erosion on slopes.
- Rapid Growth: Fast-growing tree, quickly providing benefits soon after planting.
- Urban Tolerance: Adaptable to various urban conditions, including pollution and poor soils.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Woodworking - The hardwood of Black Locust is highly prized for fine woodworking, turning, and carving, thanks to its strength and durability. The Black Locust's wood is rot-resistant, making it ideal for fence posts and outdoor furniture, resisting decay even without chemical treatment.
- Musical Instruments - Black Locust wood can be used to make guitar fingerboards, harps, and other stringed instruments due to its density and acoustic properties.
- Permaculture - Black Locust trees are often used in permaculture systems as they fix nitrogen in the soil, helping to enrich poor soils and benefit neighboring plants.
- Animal Fodder - While the leaves can be toxic in large quantities, they are sometimes used as fodder for livestock, particularly goats, in controlled measures.
- Beekeeping - The flowers are a significant nectar source for honey bees and the resulting honey is light and fragrant, making Black Locust a choice tree for beekeepers.
- Dye Production - The bark of Black Locust can be used to produce a yellow to green natural dye for textiles and crafts.
- Bioremediation - Due to its fast growth and adaptability to poor soils, Black Locust is used in land reclamation and environmental cleanup projects.
- Landscaping - 'Frisia' is particularly valued for its bright yellow foliage, which provides dramatic color contrast in garden designs and urban landscaping.
- Windbreaks - The dense canopy and fast growth make Black Locust suitable for creating protective windbreaks on agricultural land to reduce wind erosion.
- Architectural Millwork - Because Black Locust is both strong and aesthetically pleasing, it's used in architectural millwork for moldings, trims, and other decorative elements.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Black Locust is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Black Locust is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Renewal: The Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia', commonly known as the Black Locust, often symbolizes new beginnings as it is a fast-growing tree that quickly rejuvenates landscapes.
- Strength: Its ability to thrive in difficult conditions and its hard, durable wood represent strength and resilience.
- Beauty: With its striking golden-yellow foliage, the Black Locust 'Frisia' variety is often associated with beauty and visual pleasure.
- Protection: The tree's dense wood has historically been used for fence posts, suggesting themes of boundary setting and protection.
WaterThe Black Locust tree, commonly known as 'Frisia', generally prefers moderately moist soil but is drought tolerant once established. It should be watered deeply about once a week, making sure the soil is damp to a depth of a few inches. During the growing season in spring and summer, younger trees will benefit from this weekly watering, but you can scale back during cooler months. Depending on the soil and weather conditions, this might mean you'll need around 15-25 gallons of water each week for a young tree. Always adjust watering frequency and volume based on rainfall and soil moisture content to prevent overwatering.
LightThe Black Locust 'Frisia' thrives best in full sunlight, which means it should be planted in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. This tree can tolerate partial shade but its growth may be less vigorous and its bright foliage color might not be as pronounced without ample sunlight. An open area away from the shadows of buildings or other large trees is ideal for achieving the best growth and foliage color.
TemperatureThe Black Locust 'Frisia' is a hardy tree capable of surviving in a wide range of temperatures, typically from as low as -25°F to higher temperatures around 100°F. The ideal growing conditions for the 'Frisia' is within the hardiness zones 4 through 8, which typically signifies a temperature range between approximately -30°F and 70°F. This tree is relatively adaptable but can be sensitive to extremely hot and humid conditions, so it's best sited in areas where summers are not excessively extreme.
PruningPruning the Black Locust 'Frisia' is important for removing dead or damaged limbs, shaping the plant, and encouraging healthy growth. The best time for pruning is late winter to early spring before the tree begins its active growth. Typically, the tree should be pruned every few years to maintain its structure and remove any weak or crossing branches. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and avoid tearing the tree bark.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlack locust 'Frisia' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter; a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal. Mix garden soil with compost and a bit of sand for optimal growth.
RepottingBlack locust 'Frisia' being a large tree, is not typically repotted; instead, it may require transplanting as it grows, approximately once it outgrows its current space.
Humidity & MistingBlack locust 'Frisia' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions for healthy growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Black locust 'Frisia' is not suitable for indoor growth due to its size.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide ample space, and water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia', commonly known as the 'Frisia' Black Locust, begins its life as a seed, which germinates in favorable conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling grows rapidly, developing into a young sapling with a distinctive golden-yellow foliage which makes it popular for ornamental purposes. As it matures, the tree develops a robust root system and a strong, often thorny trunk, reaching full size in approximately 10 to 20 years. During spring, it produces fragrant white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, and these flowers eventually give way to brown seed pods in late summer. These pods release seeds to begin a new generation. The 'Frisia' Black Locust can live for around 50 to 70 years, with some specimens surviving longer under optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter- Early Spring
The most popular method for propagating Black Locust 'Frisia' is by seed, typically sown in the fall or spring. Before sowing, the hard seed coats should be scarified by either mechanically nicking the seeds or soaking them in hot water at approximately 170°F (about 77°C) for a few minutes to help break their dormancy. After scarification, the seeds can be directly sown into well-draining soil in a sunny location. Successful germination often benefits from a period of cold stratification, which involves chilling the seeds for about 60 to 90 days to simulate winter conditions. Seedlings require proper care, with protection from wind and pests, and may take several years before they resemble the parent tree in vigor and form.
