Robinia pseudoacacia 路 Fabaceae 路 also False acacia, Robinia
A fast-growing, thorny, nitrogen-fixing tree of 15 to 25 m with fragrant white pea flowers that make prized honey and very rot-resistant timber. Introduced to Paris around 1602, it is now one of the most widespread trees in Europe and regarded as invasive in most European countries, where it suckers into dry grasslands and enriches the soil with nitrogen, squeezing out rare native plants. Not on the EU list of Union concern, but regulated in Portugal and listed as invasive in Switzerland, Luxembourg and South Africa.
Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winterFast growingFull sunLow water
Wikimedia Commons, file Robina9146.JPG (see file page for author and licence)
Where it stands
Native
This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.
馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United States 路 Appalachian native range.source
馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United States 路 Ozark and Ouachita native range.source
馃嚭馃嚫 WV, United States 路 Appalachian native range.source
Adapted
Introduced, but it handles this climate and has not shown a habit of spreading.
馃嚛馃嚜 Germany 路 Introduced and widely naturalised per WCVP; EPPO notes it is considered invasive in most European countriessource
馃嚞馃嚙 United Kingdom 路 Introduced and naturalised per WCVP; no GB statutory listing foundsource
馃嚟馃嚭 Hungary 路 Introduced; a major plantation and honey tree per ICRAFsource
Invasive
It escapes into natural areas and displaces native plants. Check your state's list before buying one.
馃嚚馃嚘 ON, Canada 路 Listed as an invasive plant by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council; USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in Canada.source
馃嚚馃嚟 Switzerland 路 On the Swiss List of Invasive Alien Plants (2013)source
馃嚤馃嚭 Luxembourg 路 Luxembourg Black List (ISEIA A3); established since the 18th centurysource
馃嚨馃嚬 Portugal 路 EPPO: regulated invasive alien plant in Portugal since 1999source
馃嚭馃嚫 CT, United States 路 Invasive on the Connecticut Invasive Plant List; statutory sale ban takes effect October 2028.source
馃嚭馃嚫 IL, United States 路 Considered invasive in the Midwest outside its native rangesource
馃嚭馃嚫 MA, United States 路 Rated Invasive by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group and banned from sale under the state Prohibited Plant List.source
馃嚭馃嚫 NY, United States 路 Regulated invasive species under 6 NYCRR Part 575.source
馃嚳馃嚘 South Africa 路 NEMBA 2020 Category 1b: must be controlled; may not be sold or plantedsource
Prohibited
Selling or planting it is banned here.
馃嚭馃嚫 MN, United States 路 Restricted Noxious Weed in Minnesota: cannot be imported, sold or transported.source
馃嚭馃嚫 WI, United States 路 Restricted under Wisconsin NR 40 (all cultivars exempt).source
Recommended
A city, utility or extension service lists it among the trees it approves for planting here.
馃嚘馃嚭 Sydney, NSW, Australia 路 On the City of Sydney Street Tree Master Plan 2023 precinct planting palettesource
馃嚭馃嚫 Washington, DC, United States 路 On the Casey Trees Tree Rebate eligible species listsource
Care
Needs no watering once established and tolerates heat and drought. Prune in late summer or autumn, never spring, when it bleeds. Expect vigorous root suckers, brittle branches that snap in wind, and seedlings everywhere; bark, leaves and seeds are poisonous to people and livestock. Locust borer and leaf miner attack it. Not recommended for gardens; where it is already established, cutting alone stimulates suckering.
