American Elm vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

American Elm vs Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Ulmus americana

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Black Locust
American Elm

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

American Elm is fast growing, tall tree with a recognizable and pleasing shape.

It's well suited for urban environments because of its non-invasive roots and ability to grow on harsh sites (quite salt tolerant). American Elm develops a wide, dense canopy that provides shade for many city streets around North America.

Black Locust Quick Facts

American Elm Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: very long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: bright yellow
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Seeds: samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: water elm, whilte elm