False acacia - Robinia pseudoacacia.

Taxonomy.

Kingdom - Plantae.

Division - Magnoliophyta.

Class - Magnoliopsida.

Order - Fabales.

Family: - Fabaceae.

Subfamily: - Faboideae.

Tribe: - Robinieae.

Genus: - Robineae.

Species - Robineae pseudocacia.

The False Acacia, also known as the black locust tree Robinia pseudoacacia i is an 'Old Lion' of Kew Gardens, being one of the original trees planted in the original arboretum in 1762

Although planted in 1762, this tree was first introduced into the country in the 1640’s by John Tradescant the younger, a great and fmous plant hunter from a very respected and recognised family. A native of South Eastern United States it is now found widely throughout Europe, Asia and Southern Africa. This particular tree was planted, with others, around the Temple of the Sun in the original botanic garden by the Mother of George III, Princess Augusta, in 1759.

The tree has nothing to do with Acacias, or locusts being from the U.S.A. According to Kew Gardens’ literature, the tree provided John the Baptist’s main nutrition while in the wilderness which is a falacy. However there may be some grounding for the belief as he may well have eaten either locusts or seeds from the Carob tree - Ceratonia siliqua.. The confusion may derive from translations from Greek, where the word for locust and carob seed is the same, both looking similar.

The Locust tree is situated close te the Princess of Wales’ Conservatory and, as can be guessed being an Old Lion, is in close proximity to all the other Lions, close to the Maidenhair tree. It is heavily bound in iron hoops around it’s very distinguished trunk. The bark has the appearance of many trunks being fused together, being so deeply furrowed and gnarled. It also leans at a slight angle, a little like a dowager bent by her age. it is well suited to dry conditions and needs little moisture and it’s leaves are well adapted to ensure the tree’s survival, even if many of the leaves have drooped or fallen from the tree. It is a member of the Legume family, with a height of 70’ (52m) and a trunk of 6’ (1.6m). It’s title of false acacia may come from the thorns found at the base of young leaves, reaching close to an inch (2cm) in length. Also the leaves have a tendency to droop at night, appearing to close, similar to the acacia.

The tree is not so popular now, but in the early 1900’s it was popularly used in shipbuilding, as recorded by William Cobbett, author of ‘The English Gardener’. The change to iron in the shipbuilding industry seriously reduced the forestry trade, and the demise of this plant, amongst many others.

However it is still prized as firewood for woodburning stoves, as it burns slowly with little in the way of smoke or flame, but a high heat content.