Red Maple vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

Red Maple vs Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Acer rubrum

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Black Locust
Red Maple

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.

Red Maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that blooms with small red flowers in the spring. It is one of the first trees to change colour in the fall, turning a brilliant reddish-orange colour. It is one of the most common and widespread maples in North America.

Red Maple is a great choice for parks and large gardens where there is ample room for its root system.

Important note: Red Maple leaves are toxic to horses if ingested in quantity.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Red Maple Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Toxicity: wilted leaves toxic to horses
Fall colour: reddish-orange
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: located within the winged samaras
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 2.4 - 4 m (8 - 12 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust
Other Names: soft maple, swamp maple, water maple