About Robinia or Black Locust

Robinia is a tree which is native to North America but has populated the world, being introduced to Europe in 1601 by Jean Robin  and that original tree is the oldest living tree in Paris, over 400 years old.

The Robinia tree has many names: robinia pseudoacacia, false acacia and Black Locust. 

Robinia is a hardwood-very hard. Harder than oak! The wood is also resistant to rotting, even if left in soil. 

Robinia heartwood has a possible lifespan of over 1500 years in dry conditions, so these wood turnings are heirlooms in the making.

It is a stable wood, which makes it popular for turners and carving, although with it being so hard, it does require that the artist sharpens tools on a frequent basis.

The photograph on the right shows the actual tree where most of the wood has come from: it is shooting up new offshoots to form a new trunk.