Silver Maple vs Black Locust
Acer saccharinum
Robinia pseudoacacia
Silver Maple is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree that typically has a short trunk and sharply branched crown.
Silver Maple bears red flowers in early spring and beautiful five lobed, deeply notched green and silver leaves that turn yellow in the fall. This versatile and attractive shade tree requires a large yard.
Silver Maple is often used to make syrup instead of Sugar Maple in colder areas where Sugar Maple sap does not sweeten very well (like the Canadian prairies).
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.