High Quality Robinia Trees For Sale

New Zealand’s Best Mop-Top Trees

Growing colourful trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• They can provide shelter and screening
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Robinia, and we have the right one for your space. Our trees have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Robinia, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Robinia

1. Is Robinia the same as Acacia?

Robinia and Acacia are not the same. They are both trees in the legume family, Fabaceae, but they belong to different subfamilies. Robinia is in the subfamily Faboideae, while Acacia is in the subfamily Mimosoideae. This means that they have some similarities, such as their leaves and thorns, but they also have some important differences.

Robinia trees are native to North America, but they have been introduced to Europe and other parts of the world. They are typically taller than Acacia trees, with some species growing up to 30 meters (100 feet) tall. Robinia trees have pinnate leaves, which means that the leaves are arranged in pairs along a central stalk. The leaves are also compound, meaning that they are made up of many smaller leaflets. Robinia trees have thorns, which are modified branches that help to protect the tree from predators.

Acacia trees are native to Africa, Australia, and South America. They are typically shorter than Robinia trees, with most species growing between 5 and 15 meters (16 and 49 feet) tall. Acacia trees have bipinnate leaves, which means that the leaves are arranged in pairs along a central stalk, and each pair of leaflets is further divided into pairs. Acacia trees have thorns, but they are typically smaller and less noticeable than the thorns on Robinia trees.

The main difference between Robinia and Acacia trees is the shape of their flowers. Robinia trees have white, pea-like flowers that are arranged in racemes (clusters). Acacia trees have yellow or white flowers that are arranged in clusters or spikes.

2. What is Robinia good for?

Robinia, also known as black locust, is a tree that has a wide range of uses:

• Timber: Robinia wood is very hard and durable, making it an excellent choice for a variety of applications, including furniture, flooring, fence posts, and small watercraft. It is also naturally resistant to rot, so it can last for many years without treatment.
• Landscaping: Robinia trees are fast-growing and can provide shade and privacy. They are also tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, making them a good choice for planting in urban areas.
• Erosion control: Robinia trees are often planted to control erosion on slopes and riverbanks. Their roots help to bind the soil together, and their leaves provide shade that helps to reduce soil moisture loss.
• Honey production: Robinia flowers are a rich source of nectar, and they are an important food source for honeybees. Robinia honey is known for its strong flavor and light color.
• Medicinal: Robinia flowers and bark have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, burns, and hyperacidity. However, it is important to note that Robinia can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, so it is best to consult with a healthcare professional before using it for medicinal purposes.

In addition to these specific uses, Robinia trees also provide a number of ecological benefits. They help to improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including birds, bats, and insects.

3. What is the other name for Robinia?

Robinia has several common names, including:

• False acacia: This name is derived from the fact that Robinia trees superficially resemble Acacia trees, which are native to Africa, Australia, and South America.
• Black locust: This name is derived from the color of Robinia's bark, which is dark brown or black in mature trees.
• White acacia: This name is derived from the color of Robinia's flowers, which are white or cream-colored.
• Yellow locust: This name is derived from the color of Robinia's wood, which is yellow-brown in color.
• Pea locust: This name is derived from the shape of Robinia's flowers, which resemble pea flowers.
• Locust tree: This name is a general term for trees in the legume family, Fabaceae, which includes Robinia.
• Honey locust: This name is sometimes used for Robinia, but it is more commonly used for the related species Gleditsia triacanthos, which is also known as the three-thorned acacia.
• Chinese scholar tree: This name is sometimes used for Robinia, but it is more commonly used for the unrelated species Sophora japonica, which is also known as the pagoda tree.
• Kikar: This is a Hindi name for Robinia, and it is commonly used in India and other parts of South Asia.

4. Why does Robinia lose leaves?

Robinia trees lose their leaves in the fall as a way to conserve energy and protect themselves from the harsh winter conditions. During autumn, the trees begin to produce less chlorophyll and other pigments, such as carotenes and anthocyanins, become more visible, giving the leaves their yellow, orange, and red colors.As well as producing less chlorophyll, Robinia trees also begin to form a layer of cork cells at the base of their leaf stalks. These cork cells help to seal off the leaf stalks and prevent the loss of water and nutrients. Once the cork cells have formed, the tree releases a hormone that causes the leaf stalks to detach from the branches.

The loss of leaves is a natural process that helps Robinia trees to survive the winter. By conserving energy and protecting themselves from the cold, Robinia trees are able to enter a state of dormancy and wait for the spring when they can begin to grow new leaves and produce food again.

5. What is the lifespan of a Robinia tree?

Robinia trees have an average lifespan of 80 to 100 years. However, some trees have been known to live for over 200 years old. The lifespan of a Robinia tree depends on the growing conditions, genetic factors, and how well they are cared for.

6. What are the characteristics of Robinia?

Robinia, also known as black locust, is a deciduous tree native to North America. It is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, and is closely related to the genus Gleditsia, which includes the honey locust. Robinia trees are fast-growing and can reach heights of up to 80 feet (24 meters) tall. They have a wide range of uses, including timber production, landscaping, erosion control, and honey production.

7. Is Robinia an evergreen?

Robinia trees are not evergreen. They are deciduous trees, which means that they lose their leaves in the autumn and grow new leaves in the spring. This adaptation helps trees to conserve energy and water during the winter months when conditions are harsh.

8. When can I cut back Robinia?

The best time to cut back Robinia is in the late winter or early spring, before the tree starts to bud. This is because the tree is dormant during this time, so it will be less stressed by the pruning. Pruning in the late winter or early spring will also give the tree time to heal and recover before the start of the growing season.