Locust Wood Posts for Grape Vines

Availability

• The locust tree is native to the southeastern United States but has managed to naturalize itself extensively in the temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia, according to report published by the Purdue University. The tree grows fast as long as it is not competing for sunlight. It is not a desirable tree for landscaping since the canopy looks scraggly and the branches are thorny.

Size

• The trunks of young trees are perfect for grape trellis posts once they reach a diameter of 6 inches. This is typically the size of a normally growing locust tree after 10 to 15 years. The tree grows in almost any condition but will do best in loamy soil. Farmers used to grow the trees just for poles and would constantly plant new trees in the place of the cut trees for a constant supply of pole wood.

Suitability

• The reasons behind using a black locust tree are not just that it grows like a weed and is easily available. The tree contains flavenoids in the heartwood that preserve the wood from moisture damage, to the same degree as commercially treated wood. Posts will last for more than 100 years in the soil without rotting. In addition, locust is one of the hardest and heaviest lumbers in North America, easily holding up to the weight of grape vines.

Environmentally Friendly

• A number of conditions make the black locust tree an environmentally friendly source for grape trellis poles. The tree is a legume, adding nitrogen back to the soil instead of depleting it. It grows quickly by seed or from cut stumps, so timber stands replenish themselves quickly. The wood is naturally moisture-resistant, making it suitable for organic gardens. Natural preservatives keep the posts made from the locust wood long-lasting and labor-saving for decades.