Able to tolerate drought, salt, and poor soil, Black Locust will grow in full sun or partial shade on almost any soil acid or alkaline except that which is permanently wet. It is used often for reclaiming strip mine sites and fixes nitrogen. It tolerates high soil salt concentrations originating from de-icing salt applications better than many other plants. A tough tree which should be saved for the toughest sites such as roadsides, landfills, and strip mines. Not for general use in urban areas due to borer problems unless located in a moist, well-drained site with plenty of soil space for root expansion. Foliage from most members of this genus is considered poisonous when ingested. Plants resist browsing by deer. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.

Although the wood is extremely durable and resistant to decay, as pioneers used it for nails and for building ships and houses, the branches are brittle and subject to breakage. This may be due largely to the tendency for the branches to form included bark in the branch crotches. The wood is considered ring porous. Thin the tree especially toward the edge of the canopy. Wonderful honey develops from bees that use flowers as a nectar source.

‘Lace Lady’ is spineless with twisted branches and grows to about 6 feet tall.

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