This species has been planted outside its natural range, and can crowd out other plants, particularly in sandy soils. This plant is considered noxious and/or invasive in some states, and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed.

Black locust has a shallow, aggressive root system. The bark of black locust is deeply furrowed and is dark reddish-brown to black in color. It has an alternate branching pattern, which creates a zigzag effect. A pair of sharp thorns grows at each node. They are ½ to ¾ inches long, and very stout.
The pinnately compound leaves are 8 to 14 inches long, with 7 to 19 short stalked leaflets. These dull green leaflets are ovoid or oval, 1 to 2 inches long, thin, scabrous above and pale below.

The separate male and female plants have sweetly fragrant flowers that are creamy white with five petals (bean-like) arranged in a pyramidal spike. They usually bloom in May or June. Heavy seed production can be expected annually or biannually. The legume type seed is produced in a flat, brown to black pod, which is 2 to 4 inches long. There is an average of 25,500 seeds per pound. although black locust is a good seed producer, its primary means of spread is by both rudimentary and adventitious root suckers.

Due to the ease of vegetative reproduction, black locust is seldom grown from seed. If seedling production is desirable, the hard seed coat must first be reduced or broken to allow germination; this can be done with sulfuric acid or hot water. Once treated, the seed can be sown on raised nursery beds or directly on to field sites. Black locust seed combined in grass and legume mixtures can be broadcast, drilled, hydroseeded, or aircraft dispersed. Limit locust to 3 pounds per acre in such mixtures. Black locust is easily propagated from softwood, hardwood, and root cuttings. Preparing 6 to 12 inch hardwood cuttings, collected while dormant is often the most effective procedure. This form of cutting responds well to root-inducing chemicals. Grafting is also a viable propagation option to maintain varietal integrity.

Locust Borer Beetle, Megacyllene robiniae

There are 2 primary insects inflicting damage on black locust: locust leaf miner and black locust borer. The leaf miner attacks the tree in spring, turning the leaves brown by mid-summer or early fall. Overall tree growth is impacted, but not seriously. The larvae of the locust borer carve tunnels through the trunk of the tree, weakening it enough for wind breakage. Planting on good quality sites or in conjunction with other hardwood species and shading trunks will discourage infestation by locust borers. Heart rot is the only noteworthy disease effecting black locust.