Black Locust Logs
for Sale & Wanted
Robinia pseudoacacia — False Acacia / Yellow Locust
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is native to the Appalachian Mountains and has been called 'the ironwood of the east' for its extraordinary combination of strength, hardness, and natural rot resistance. The heartwood is a rich olive-brown to yellow-green color that darkens with age, with a distinctive fluorescent yellow-green glow under ultraviolet light. Working properties are demanding — the wood is extremely hard and blunts cutting edges fast — but the finished product is among the most durable in the North American hardwood supply.
Market Insight — Black Locust 2026
Black locust's heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insect attack, rated in the top tier of all North American hardwoods for outdoor durability — comparable to tropical hardwoods like ipé but at a fraction of the price. This has driven recent demand growth for outdoor decking, marine applications, and export to European markets where tropical hardwood restrictions have made locust a preferred decking and fencing alternative. The EU treats locust as one of the few naturally Class 1 durable woods for outdoor use.
Black locust delivered sawlog prices run $500–$1,000/MBF (Doyle) for standard grade, with large-diameter clear logs for decking or export bringing $900–$1,800/MBF. Post-grade material is commonly sold by the piece. Demand for black locust has risen steadily as European buyers pay premium prices for quality US stock — a trend that has made locust one of the most profitable species per acre on many Appalachian tracts.
About Black Locust Timber
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is native to the Appalachian Mountains and has been called 'the ironwood of the east' for its extraordinary combination of strength, hardness, and natural rot resistance. The heartwood is a rich olive-brown to yellow-green color that darkens with age, with a distinctive fluorescent yellow-green glow under ultraviolet light. Working properties are demanding — the wood is extremely hard and blunts cutting edges fast — but the finished product is among the most durable in the North American hardwood supply.
Black locust's heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insect attack, rated in the top tier of all North American hardwoods for outdoor durability — comparable to tropical hardwoods like ipé but at a fraction of the price. This has driven recent demand growth for outdoor decking, marine applications, and export to European markets where tropical hardwood restrictions have made locust a preferred decking and fencing alternative. The EU treats locust as one of the few naturally Class 1 durable woods for outdoor use.
Black locust delivered sawlog prices run $500–$1,000/MBF (Doyle) for standard grade, with large-diameter clear logs for decking or export bringing $900–$1,800/MBF. Post-grade material is commonly sold by the piece. Demand for black locust has risen steadily as European buyers pay premium prices for quality US stock — a trend that has made locust one of the most profitable species per acre on many Appalachian tracts.
Fence Posts
50+ year ground-contact life
Decking
Alternative to tropical hardwoods
Marine / Dock
Extreme decay resistance
Vineyards
Trellis posts and stakes
Black Locust Grades & What Buyers Pay
| Grade | Key Requirements | Typical Buyers | Delivered Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decking / Export Prime | 12"+ SED, clear, straight | Export brokers, decking mills | $1,000–$1,800/MBF |
| Select / No. 1 | 10"+ SED, 6'+ clear | Specialty millwork, outdoor furniture | $500–$900/MBF |
| No. 2 / Sawlog | 8"+ SED, sound heart | Small sawmills, specialty shops | $300–$500/MBF |
| Fence Post | 4-8" SED, heartwood | Fence contractors, vineyards | $10–$35/post |
Tips for Selling Black Locust
- Export market is the price leader. European buyers pay substantially more than domestic mills for quality black locust decking stock. If your logs are straight, clear, and large-diameter, ask brokers about export grade — the premium is often 30-50% above domestic pricing.
- Post market clears smaller stock. Black locust under 10" SED is often worth more as fence posts than sawlogs. Vineyards pay premium for locust trellis posts due to 50+ year service life.
- Know your heartwood percentage. Wider sapwood (common on young, fast-grown trees) drops value sharply. Older trees with narrow sapwood and high heartwood percentage bring the best prices.
- Moisture content matters for export. Export buyers often want kiln-dried or air-dried stock for decking. Green-sale prices are lower than properly dried lumber but many loggers don't have drying capacity — call specialty decking mills that handle drying in-house.
- Black locust is invasive elsewhere — sometimes salvage. In parts of the western US and Europe, black locust is considered invasive. Salvage/removal operations sometimes offer logs at below-market prices. In Appalachia, the tree is native and commercial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Locust Logs
What are black locust logs worth?
Standard delivered black locust sawlogs run $500-$900/MBF (Doyle). Export and decking grade material brings $1,000-$1,800/MBF. Post-size black locust (4-8" diameter) commonly sells by the piece at $10-$35 per post. Prices have risen significantly over the past decade as European export markets developed.
Why is black locust so rot resistant?
Black locust heartwood contains high concentrations of flavonoid extractives, particularly robinetin and dihydrorobinetin, that are highly toxic to wood-decay fungi and wood-boring insects. These compounds make locust one of very few North American hardwoods rated Class 1 (most durable) for outdoor ground-contact use. Sapwood lacks these extractives and decays like any hardwood.
Is black locust really an alternative to tropical hardwoods?
For outdoor decking, yes — black locust has decay resistance and mechanical properties comparable to ipé, cumaru, and other tropical decking species. The European Union has embraced black locust specifically to reduce tropical hardwood imports. US supply has grown to meet this demand, with most export shipments going to Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
Can black locust be worked with normal tools?
Yes, but the wood is extremely hard (Janka 1,700 lbf) and blunts cutting edges fast. Carbide tooling is recommended. Hand work is slow but produces excellent results. The wood glues and finishes well once worked; pre-drilling is required for fasteners.
How big do black locusts get?
Most commercial black locust tops out at 16-20" DBH with heights of 60-80 feet. Exceptional specimens can exceed 24" DBH. The species grows quickly on disturbed sites and responds well to management. Many modern commercial plantations are specifically grown for decking and export.
Does black locust sapwood have any value?
Some, but much less than heartwood. Sapwood is a narrow pale yellow-white band that decays like any hardwood. Mills typically pay for the heartwood percentage of each log. All-heart logs from older trees bring the highest prices; young trees with wide sapwood bring less.
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