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Locust
Wood Flooring Species
Scientific Name:
Robinia pseudoacadia
Other Names and Species:
Black Locust
Yellow Locust
Origin:
United States and Canada
Appearance:
The sapwood of locust is yellowish while the heartwood ranges from greenish-yellow to golden brown, changing to russet brown after exposure. The species has a prominent, straight grain and a coarse, uneven texture.
Properties:
Locust’s heartwood has a natural resistance to decay. The wood remains smooth under friction and is reported to have no odor.
Janka Hardness: 1700
Locust is a hard and durable flooring option. It is nearly identical in hardness to African padauk, close to seventy percent harder than black walnut, roughly one-third harder than red oak, and about seventy-seven percent as hard as santos mahogany’s ranking of 2200.
Workability:
Locust is somewhat difficult to saw properly. This species is also difficult to nail properly but does take gluing well. The wood sands to a smooth surface, stains satifactorily, and polishes to a high finish.
Principal Uses:
Locust’s uses include poles, railroad ties, mine timbers, and posts.
