Hi Guys - Wife and I are getting ready to close on an 11 acre piece of property. Currently it's in managed forest for another 2 years. The front 4 acres is in pine and the rest is mixed hardwoods. The pine is scheduled to be thinned for the MF this year. I was thinking maybe in the next couple of years, clear cut the pine and plant black locust. Its considered restricted in Wisconsin, but since it's already here, I don't know that I couldn't technically plant it. I understand its a pretty aggressive tree in terms of growth and can crowd out other trees, but if I were starting from scratch on a clear cut section, I don't see a whole lot of issue. My thoughts are with it growing fast, I could have a pretty good supply of firewood in not to many years. Am I opening up pandora's box by planting this stuff? Just looking for opinions....
It should. Don't see a reason why not. Soil is somewhat sandy, but given the size of the oaks on the property, I gotta imagine, it would support locust.
If you want it strictly for firewood and plan on maintaining the area it's in before it takes over, I say go ahead and plant it. Just keep on top of any rogue saplings that sprout up before your locust grove overtakes all of the native trees in the area. 11 acres is a lot to keep an eye on though and I think it would only be a matter of time before the wind carries the seed for the next generation elsewhere-hundreds of feet or more. On the plus side, with them being the first new trees in the clear-cut area, they should establish themselves fast and give you a relatively quick turnaround on your investment. Personally I'd be more concerned about local and state laws explicitly banning it. If there's a hefty fine involved with cultivating them, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. I don't know, tough call. It might be best to consult a local arborist before committing either way.
Interesting short read below. It does sound to me like Pandora's box, like you wouldn't be doing your local ecosystem any favors. If the only way to really kill it is through chemical applications, you might be better off planting some high BTU native stuff and bide your time. If Wisconsin really looks at these trees with scorn, I wonder if there's enough of it around to cut what's already locally growing? That way you get the wood you're after while helping keep those trees in check. Win-win. Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) | Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
So many species of trees thrive in different soils, elevations, climates, sun exposure etc.. It's not easy to grow just one species that thrives on any given property. I would have the local forester walk your property and make suggestions to what to plant that is best suited to your land. I had an idea to plant a bunch of walnut trees long ago until I learned differently...
Serious question here for anyone’s opinion. Is planting a firewood patch even a logical pursuit? Sure if your young and have the land and no intention of ever moving. Or for future generations. Oddly enough I had the offer just yesterday of getting all the BL seedlings and seeds I wanted. Was discussing with the homeowner their plants etc. in their yard that I would disturb to remove the BL logs. She laughed and said kill it crush it take them home do whatever you want, it’s just more BL sprouting up. I did think about it. I’m 58. I’d be 98 before any would be ready to cut. I have no illusions of me being a firewood king at 98 Oh, not being much of an expert on BL I didn’t know they were thorny until I walked by a small sapling. Ouch!!
That's what this thread needed, some real down to earth perspective! Very true, it's not like growing a patch of strawberries or even an apple tree that will bear decent fruit in a few years. Trees live on a much different time scale than we do. The giant oaks we see today came from acorns that fell in the horse and buggy days.
I can see why you'd want to but it spreads like crazy and can be tough to control. Dont know how many years before it could be harvested for viable firewood?
Absolutely. Just to clarify my previous post. I really did think about it,,,seriously. Which is why I asked for opinions,,,wisdom. And while I have an affinity for the black locust tree at this time I’m not sure my love affair would last too long with the thorn aspect. I know the rest of my family that shares the property would be even less thrilled we’re already dealing with bamboo and tree of heaven. Another invasive with built in defense mechanisms isn’t high on the list of things I should do LOL
And here it is all the olive trees taking over. Taking over big time! And now they have just came off blossom, which is a blessing especially for me. They stink bad and really screws up my sinuses.
Sorry to here of your bad relationship Another love affair gone sour. Are they good to burn anyway? The more I look and learn the more I realize just how little I know. It occurred to me two days ago on this pick when I looked at all the trees still standing at these peoples house. I saw red oaks at first glance. They aren’t. All big BL. I’ve been dealing with firewood on my own property so long all I see is red oak. That and black birch. Not bad woods to have but makes me ignorant.
I will say fast growing to a point but not that fast. This tree was just a sapling the we bought this place about 30 years ago. If I cut it down now there might be enough wood to burn for 2 days.
I believe we had honey locust on our property growing up. The saplings would grow very fast. They really could take over if we didn't stay on top of them.
Any decisions on planting woods should involve a forester they know what does well in your area and you should have some kind of plan for woods other than firewood a well maintained woodlot has a diverse species and if well maintained on 11 acres you should always have enough cull trees for a good supply of firewood any non native tree can take over do you just want firewood or do you want wildlife plots or just a nice woods for hiking or a supply of salable logs or snowmobile atv trails all questions you should answer a lot of college students in forestry classes might take it as a project just some thoughts JB
We don't have Olive trees, but Russian olive "bushes". Taking over much of the native plants along bodies of water.
Maybe use a hybrid poplar as a fast growing firewood tree? Check with your local forester, since it's a managed already?
I have not yet burned any as we have only a few that are large enough to even think of cutting. I suspect they would stick to high Heaven.
