The black locust tree, which we are used to calling here, may be because it comes from out of town. In some places, it is jokingly called the locust, and some people compare it to the fruit of the saponaria tree, so in some areas it is also nicknamed the honey locust. Today, this exotic tree has taken root all over China and is gradually becoming part of the local population.
The black locust tree begins to bloom in April every year, and at full bloom the entire canopy is almost covered with white flowers. The flowers of the black locust tree are not only pleasantly fragrant, if you have a black locust tree in your home, the whole yard will be filled with the fragrance of flowers during the flowering season. However, the charm of the black locust flower lies not only in its fragrance, but also in its edible properties.
For us Henan people, black locust flowers are a delicacy. It can be steamed in noodles, cooked into pancakes with flour and eggs, or even blanched and served cold. The black locust flower, which becomes a delicious seasonal ingredient, not only enriches the table, but also gives new value to this exotic tree.
Among the many nectar varieties in China, only four are known as famous honey, among which Robinia honey is one of them, and the other three are vitex honey, jujube honey and lychee honey. Robinia honey has an extremely sweet taste, whether it is eaten or smelled, it exudes the unique aroma of locust flowers. It is precisely because of the high quality of Robinia honey that it has become one of the main forces of China's exports.
The wood of the black locust tree is hard and not easy to deform, which is suitable for various purposes such as furniture, flooring, sleepers, and mining pillars. In addition to the wood, the flowers of the black locust are a delicacy, and the leaves are excellent feed for cattle and sheep. Even tree branches have excellent performance as fuel, are easy to ignite, and are resistant to burning. As a result, the black locust tree has a wide range of applications in rural, mine, urban, and construction sites.
Native to North America, the black locust tree was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and from Europe to Asia. It is said that the first black locust tree in our country was introduced from Japan in the 19th century. The definition of invasive species in China is that as long as the alien species has strong characteristics of ecological adaptation, reproduction and dissemination, it is recognized as an invasive plant. Robinia pseudoacacia trees are widely found in the north and south of China, indicating that they have strong adaptability. Its high-yielding seeds, as well as the tillering ability of the roots, further demonstrate its strong ability to reproduce and spread. These characteristics have led to the black locust tree taking root in the soil of our country, which not only crowds out the living space of native plants, but also poses a threat to the ecosystem. Therefore, Robinia pseudoacacia trees were included in the List of Invasive Plants in China and assessed as Class 3 locally invasive plants.
The black locust trees, which were once widely planted in many parts of the country, are now drifting away. In some urban greening projects, what was once a common tree species is now being replaced by other trees. In rural areas, trees that used to be common in the courtyards of every home are now hard to find. In our village, there is only one black locust tree that once grew leisurely by the school playground. This is also common in other villages.
So the question is, if the black locust tree is so useful, why are farmers no longer willing to plant it?
First of all, black locust trees grow at a slower rate. Although the black locust tree grows rapidly in the first two years, the growth rate slows down significantly after that, and it takes about ten years for the tree to reach bucket size. Due to the high cost of cultivation and the slow return on the benefits of farming, almost no one is willing to invest in planting black locust trees anymore.
Secondly, the use of black locust trees has decreased, and sales are insufficient. Because of its solid wood, Robinia was often used to make doors, windows and furniture in rural areas in the past. However, as the demand for timber in rural areas decreases, farmers prefer to buy finished products from the market rather than grow them themselves. As a result, the demand for Robinia trees has dropped significantly, and farmers' enthusiasm for planting them has weakened accordingly.
Overall, although the black locust tree was once a highly sought-after species, farmers are fading about this once-popular exotic tree due to its slow growth and reduced use. Even though its flowers are delicious and the nectar is precious, few people nowadays are willing to plant black locust trees for these fleeting delicacies. Therefore, the decline of the black locust tree seems to have become inevitable.
In this era of the passage of time, the story of the black locust tree may be a memory of the past, a picture of the prosperity of the past. Although the black locust tree once held a place in people's hearts with its fragrant flowers, delicious nectar and hard wood, however, the changes in life and the development of society have also inadvertently changed people's love for this tree.
Perhaps, in the busy modern life, people gradually forget about the black locust tree, but the beautiful memories it left behind are forever etched in the past years. Although it is now almost lost in the countryside and faded into obscurity in the cities, the black locust tree is still a unique existence, leaving an indelible mark on the natural world with its former glory and its current silence.