Black Locust: A Green Product
Are Highland Craftsmen Inc.® Black Locust Materials
and Products, Green Friendly?
At HC we review and renew our commitment to our green processes regularly. In light of this, we consulted resources such as the US Forest Service and others to get answers to the question of sustainability of black locust. This is the only product that we specifically request be cut from the forest. We do not procure enough of the product as a result of it being harvested from “road cuts” as loggers move through the woods. We acknowledge that removing trees must be done with responsibility and deep thought. This is what we found.
Forester and the US Forest Service documents note the self proliferating nature of black locust. Sprouts come off the roots and mature quickly when a tree is cut. It is stated that “the need to reestablish [black locust] by seed is eliminated…” The specie “proliferates and grows so fast, and does not allow biodiversity in a forest that has been cleared”. It is also not considered valuable by the standard lumber industry. “Except for reclamation, most forest managers consider this tree a weed species and a strong competitor against more desirable species.” In short, “Black locust reproduces prolifically from root sprouts and dominates early forest regeneration in native forest stands and areas disturbed by man. Black locust possesses virtually all of the characteristics that define a typical weed” (Hanover 1992; Keeler 1989).
These same documents acknowledge that black locust is a wonderful specie. “Other important attributes of black locust are its extremely rapid early growth rate, very high density wood, high resistance to wood decay fungi, tolerance to low fertility sites, drought resistance, abundance of natural product chemicals in its wood, bark and leaves, and large amount of genetic variation in most (Barrett et al. 1988). It helps decrease erosion and we believe it is a forest beauty. Although not harvested commercially in mass, foresters identify the attributes of the wood for many potential commercial applications. The black locust is tolerant of poor soil conditions. It is the specie of choice for replanting strip mining after closure and fill of the mines.
When HC’s material procurement team goes into the woods to collect black locust, they are walking in and hand carrying the trees out. Heavy machinery is not used so the forest floor is disturbed minimally. We do this so that the material is unblemished when applied architecturally. For our split rails, blemishing is not a concern. The material is generally brought to us when loggers are timbering and cut the trees in their path. As a general rule, sawmills do not like the material, so we purchase it versus it being left cut in the woods to decay.
A discussion about offsetting carbon dioxide via trees was recently engaged by Dr. Patrick Moore and published in the Vancouver Sun. Dr. Moore is a co-founder of Greenpeace and chairman and chief scientist of Greenspirit Strategies Ltd. in Vancouver. The relationship between trees and greenhouse gases is simple enough on the surface. Trees grow by taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, through photosynthesis, converting it into sugars. The sugars are then used as energy and materials to build cellulose and lignin, the main constituents of wood…
When a tree rots or burns, the carbon contained in the wood is released back to the atmosphere. Since combustion releases carbon, active forest management—such as removing dead trees and clearing debris from the forest floor—will be imperative in reducing the [amount of carbon released into the air]....There is a misconception that cutting down a…tree will result in a net release of carbon. Yet wooden furniture made in the Elizabethan era still holds the carbon fixed hundreds of years ago.
Black locust is an historic part of mountain culture and architecturally important. It has been used for hundreds of years in mountain home construction as support posts, as fence posts and split rail fencing. It can last 100 years in the ground without rotting. Building codes and grading standards have not recognized this importance. HC has supplied countless documents and had more conversations than we care to recall trying to defend the material, especially given the importance it holds to the region. US Forest Service documents support this position and realize the cultural significance as well as its strength and longevity. Black locust is an important part of the mountain aesthetic and lifestyle.
The links for the data sited are here: