Disclaimer: Outside of its native range (in and around the Appalachian Mountain range in Eastern North America) Black Locust – Robinia Pseudoacacia – can become invasive. It is a pioneer species meant to recolonize disturbed ground and compete with grass. If you are outside of its native range please proceed with caution with this species, or consider using a species native to your area that fills the same niche.
Black Locust Coppicing – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
We are now one full year from the beginning of this project, and things are going well in my opinion. Late winter is the time for coppicing, cutting firewood, pruning orchards, and dreaming of how this year’s gardening will be exquisitely better than last year’s. The Black Locusts did quite well despite the drought we had last year, and we have now had an average winter for precipitation, so I expect big things this year. As you can see in the cover photo, the deer damage was significant in spots, but overall I would call it average. Some sprouts were entirely lost to deer damage (both buck rubbing and tip nibbling) but it was a minority of the total. The trees put out such numerous sprouts that I don’t really consider it to be detrimental. The coyotes are doing their part to keep that issue under control.
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Anonymous Appalachian Agrarian 