About
A bushy, medium-sized deciduous tree with thorny, contorted branches and an oval crown. Mature trees have textured bark. Rarely, pale pink to white, aromatic flowers are produced in dropping racemes in the spring on mature trees. Dark green leaves hang from corkscrew-shaped shoots, turning to yellow in the autumn.
About the genus
Robinia are vigorous suckering trees and shrubs, sometimes thorny, with pinnate leaves and racemes of pea-type flowers in early summer, sometimes followed by seed pods
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any soil in good light. Remove any suckers that grow, which may have long thorns. For more advice see tree cultivation. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well
PruningPruning group 1 or Pruning group 7; pruning should be done in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding; sucker removal if necessary, in autumn
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings or grafting
Pest resistanceGenereally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus