Locust Is often thought of as a weed tree that grows along creeks. That being said both Black Locust and Honey Locust are still highly prized as furniture woods. Historically Locust has been used extensively for handles, chair seats and fence posts. In fact it was so valued for fence posts that an old saying about how it should be used directs that "A large rock should be placed in the bottom of the post hole, and when the rock rots away it is time to replace the fence post." The biggest difference between Black Locust and Honey Locust is in the color of the wood rather than the bark or the flowers. I have seen Black locust trees bear white, pink, or purple flowers. Another distinctive though totally useless quality of locust is that it is the most phosphorescent wood under a black light. Of all the woods I have milled Locust is by far the heaviest. It is extremely hard and contains the highest percentage of moisture. Because of its density and high moisture content it takes the longest time to cure and can take twice as long as Walnut of a similar thickness. When it is dry it is reasonably stable and will take a high polish. It has a very spicy scent though not unpleasant. With an oil finish it can have a warm amber tone but if freshly sanded and then finished with lacquer it can have a yellow green tone which fades quickly in direct sunlight. The handle and tote on my Stanley #7c are both made from Black Locust and it always makes my heart sing to use that tool. The wood I have is from a tree that used to be near the corner of 11th and San Fernando in San Jose.
©Robin Corell 2005