It is difficult to work with hand tools, but has excellent bending strength. It can be glued satisfactorily. The whitish flowers are very fragrant and hang in clusters on long stems. Pods are mostly persistent on the tree through the winter. The tree grows on a variety of soils.
Black locust has heavy branches that often fork fairly close to the ground.
Twigs bear spines - 1 inch long. The thick bark is deeply furrowed, dark reddish-brown and scaly. Bark of sprouts and seedlings are important food for cottontail rabbits in winter, especially when snow accumulates. Seeds are used by many kinds of birds. The bark is dull chalky-white on the surfaces.