Robinia viscosa
| Robinia viscosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 43' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Robinia viscosa (common name: clammy locust)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and sow the seed in late winter in a cold frame[1]. A short stratification improves germination rates and time[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following summer. The seed stores for over 10 years[2].
Suckers taken during the dormant season.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil, preferring one that is not too rich[3][4]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding on dry barren sites[5][4]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[4]. Plants prefer a position in full sun, though they also tolerate light shade.
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c when fully dormant[5].
A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[6]. The branches are brittle and very liable to wind damage[4]. When plants are grown in rich soils they produce coarse and rank growth which is even more liable to wind damage[7][4].
Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[4].
The young branches, seedpods and petioles are covered with dark glandular hairs that exude a clammy sticky substance[8].
Plants sucker freely, especially after coppicing, the suckers have vicious thorns.
A very greedy tree, tending to impoverish the soil.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].
Range: South-eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Alabama.
Habitat: Dry open woodland and hillside scrub to 1200 metres[5].
Usage: Plants produce an extensive suckering root system and can be used for soil stabilization on banks etc[6].
Wood - heavy, hard, close-grained[8]. The wood weighs 50lb per cubic foot[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: R. glutinosa. Sims.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.