Common Name: Clammy Locust

General Information

Robinia viscosa is a deciduous tree that can grow 9 - 13 metres tall. The bole can be up to 30cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

The roots are somewhat poisonous.

Botanical References

Range

Eastern N. America - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tenessee

Habitat

Dry open woodland and hillside scrub; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	13.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Robinia viscosa ia a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c when fully dormant[].
Succeeds in any soil, preferring one that is not too rich[, ]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding on dry barren sites[, ]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[]. Plants prefer a position in full sun, though they also tolerate light shade.
A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[]. The branches are brittle and very liable to wind damage[]. When plants are grown in rich soils they produce coarse and rank growth which is even more liable to wind damage[, ].
Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[].
The young branches, seedpods and petioles are covered with dark glandular hairs that exude a clammy sticky substance[].
Plants sucker freely, especially after coppicing, the suckers have vicious thorns.
A very greedy tree, tending to impoverish the soil.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants produce an extensive suckering root system and can be used for soil stabilization on banks etc[].
The flowers are a rich source of nectar for bees.

Other Uses

The heartwood is brown, the sapwood light yellow. The wood is heavy, hard, close-grained, compact[, ]. The wood weighs 50lb per cubic foot[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and sow the seed in late winter in a cold frame[]. A short stratification improves germination rates and time[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following summer. The seed stores for over 10 years[].
Suckers taken during the dormant season.