Black/honey locust.....how to identify

[bearbowman]

My dad cut some locust last year and has it laying at his house. He offered it to me.

We don't know how to tell the difference between the two. I was always told not to use honey locust.

Is there a good way to tell between the two when it's alrady cut and laying?

[koan]

Yep, if black locust still has the bark on while its layin on the ground it will rot very quickly..it will smell like roadkill...black locust color varies from different locals, round here its anywhere from osage gold color to almost green and its starts turning grey soon after cutting. Not sure bout honey locust, but if you run a 12" thorn in your hand its honey locust,lol.....Brian

[coyote pup]

The easiest way is this--Did it, or does it, have great big thorns like the crown of Jesus sticking out of the trunk? If it did or still does, it's Honey.

[TRACY]

Not all honey locust have the three thorns. The bark on the honey locust tends to be smooth with or without 1-2 inch thorns in threes whereas black locust bark will be thicker, ridged with orange fissures being visible. IMO, both woods can be used to produce a bow. I would be leary with wood that has been sitting out unsealed and vulnerable to bugs.

Tracy

[Hillbilly]

If you can post a pic, we can tell you easy. Black locust is like osage, the heartwood will last forever without rotting unless it's sappy second-growth stuff. I've sawed up locust logs that had been laying in the woods for probably 15-20 years, and the wood would literally throw sparks off a chain saw chain it was so hard and solid.

[bearbowman]

Hillbilly, it's funny you say that. My dad was just telling me last night that he was throwing sparks while he was cutting it.

[George Tsoukalas]

BL is good stuff. It has no thorn on the trunks. HL does. BL has white flowers in spring. HL has pink. Jawge

[Danny Roberts]

Honey locust will make you a good bow. I wouldn't cut it for firewood. Good luck with both !!