Basic Characteristics of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Wood Grown Under Different Site Conditions: A Review

This study provides an overview of the basic characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia cultivated throughout Europe. After studying the literature, we concluded that air temperature and precipitation amounts significantly influenced the annual ring width of R. pseudoacacia. In addition, the light, water, and nutrient supply affected tree growth by increasing growth intensity, thus reducing vessel diameters and pieces per unit area. Black locust wood grown in Belgium has a higher volumetric shrinkage (16 %) and tangential shrinkage (8.8 %) and a considerably higher modulus of elasticity (15,700 MPa) compared to wood from Poland and Hungary. The vessel diameters measured in the latewood of Robinia wood grown in Hungary (70-140 μm) exceeded those in Greece (24 μm). Knowledge of the mechanical and physical characteristics of new black locust clones wood already in cultivation via breeding is incomplete. The same applies to climate change effects. The review article recommends that future research investigate the basic characteristics of new cultivars planted in different locations.