False acacia
Robinia pseudoacacia
Also called Black locust and Locust tree
Garden plant · TreesSuckers come up metres from the trunk and carry long thorns. ASPCA lists the whole genus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and RHS calls it a skin irritant as well.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Once a weekWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 20 m tall · 12 m across
- Lifecycle
- Tree
- Origin
- The eastern United States
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
The bark, leaves and seeds.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS calls it a skin irritant and says to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling it.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.