Robinia (black locust)

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Broadleaf wood · reference

Robinia

False acacia, black locust, faux acacia. A North American tree that became Europe's most durable home-grown hardwood — and can go in the ground.

Robinia pseudoacacia
Class 1–2
Also in ground contact

Robinia pseudoacacia

RobiniaRobinia pseudoacacia

Freshly sawn robinia log: yellow heartwood, narrow pale sapwood band (Robinia pseudoacacia) — Freshly sawn robinia log: yellow heartwood, narrow pale sapwood bandRobinia pseudoacacia

Planed robinia: yellowish green with a striking grain (Robinia pseudoacacia) — Planed robinia: yellowish green with a striking grainRobinia pseudoacacia

Summary

Robinia at a glance

Robinia pseudoacacia L., family Leguminosae — originally from North America, now planted in Europe, Asia, North Africa and New Zealand.

The confusion over the name is persistent: in the Netherlands and Belgium robinia was simply called "acacia" for years, while true acacia is a completely different genus. In Germany it is called Falsche Akazie or Robinie, in France faux acacia, in Britain false acacia, and in the United States black locust.

What makes robinia special: it is the only wood grown in Europe that reaches durability class 1 to 2 — including in ground contact. For posts, play equipment and bank revetments it is therefore Europe's answer to tropical hardwood.

From Hungarian plantations

Most of the robinia processed here comes from Hungarian plantations from around 1950. Hungary has the largest robinia stands in Europe and is the main supplier — a short chain and a truly European alternative to tropical wood.

Botanical: Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Family: Leguminosae (Papilionaceae)
Origin: North America
Main source: Hungarian plantations, around 1950
Durability: class 1 to 2 — also in ground contact
Other names: false acacia, black locust, faux acacia

To be fair: robinia grows crooked. The trunks are rarely straight and often twisted, so few long, straight boards come out of them. That makes it expensive per usable metre and explains why it is mainly used for posts, short pieces and play equipment — not for three-metre tabletops.

In pictures · robinia, Europe’s own class 11 / 7

A persistent confusion

One tree, five names

In the Netherlands and Belgium robinia was simply called “acacia” for years, while true acacia is a completely different genus. In Germany it is called Falsche Akazie or Robinie, in France faux acacia, in Britain false acacia, in the United States black locust.

Click a chapter or use the arrows · route and growth schematic.

Measurable

Why it is so durable

Class 1 to 2

The highest natural durability of all species grown in Europe — comparable to teak, without tropical forest.

Ground contact

Where most species give up, robinia holds out. Posts last for decades without impregnation.

Hard and strong

High density and bending strength; it is one of the strongest European woods.

Ring-porous

Pronounced growth rings on a yellowish-green to golden-brown ground colour that darkens to brown.

Why it isn't in our range

Precisely because of that crooked growth. For our picnic tables and beer tables we need long, straight boards of equal thickness, and robinia rarely delivers them. For posts and play equipment, on the other hand, it is hard to beat.

Uses

What robinia is used for

Use	Why robinia	Distinctive
Posts and bank revetments	Class 1 in ground contact	The European alternative to pressure-treated wood
Play equipment	Durable without chemicals	Important where children come into contact with it
Outdoor furniture	Hard and weather-resistant	Often in short pieces because of the crooked growth
Garden screens and fencing	Strong and rot-resistant	Traditional use
Parquet	Hard and decorative	Limited supply in long lengths
Vineyard posts	Durable and strong	The classic use in Central Europe

An invasive species

Robinia spreads vigorously through root suckers and seed and displaces native vegetation in parts of Europe. It is on the list of invasive alien species. That argues for using the wood from existing plantations — but not for new planting in the wild.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about robinia

Is robinia the same as acacia?

No, even though it is called that. Robinia is Robinia pseudoacacia; true acacia is a different genus. The name false acacia says it all.

Can robinia go in the ground?

Yes, and that is its strongest property. With durability class 1 to 2, posts last for decades without impregnation — unique for a European wood.

Why is robinia so expensive?

Because of the crooked, often twisted growth, few long, straight pieces come out of a trunk. You don't pay for the cubic metre but for the usable metre.

Is robinia a good alternative to tropical hardwood?

For posts, play equipment and bank revetments, certainly: the same durability class, European origin and a short chain. For long straight boards, no — there teak or Accoya.

Robinia in perspective

Europe's own class 1 — grown crooked, but indestructible.

To The Wood Guide Acacia wood Durable wood for outdoor use

Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Robinia pseudoacacia — Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Robinia pseudoacacia — Mnemosine, Public domain · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Robinia pseudoacacia — Gerda Arendt, CC BY-SA 4.0

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Robinia (black locust)

Robinia

Robinia at a glance