Belfast Botanic Gardens Tree Archive

fobbg logo
This is one of a series of short articles about trees in the Belfast Botanic Gardens compiled by the Friends group. The tree tag number relates to the small aluminium discs, usually fixed on the tree trunk, 2 to 3m above ground level.
Robinia pseudoacacia
Robinia, Locust tree or False acacia

Tag 416 and 417
54 deg 34.992N
5 deg 56.015W

The robinia is a native of the Appalachian Mountains, but has spread from Canada to California. It spreads aggressively in many other countries, increasing mostly by root suckers. It is not seen that commonly in Ireland. The flowers are pendulous rather like those of Laburnum, but are creamy white. The leaves have from 9-23 untoothed leaflets and unusually the base of the leaf stalk encloses and hides the axial bud. The bark is usually deeply fissured and the heartwood is a deep orangey brown.There are two specimens in Belfast Botanic Gardens in the shrubby area facing the front of the Palm House. Both flowered prolifically in June 2010.

Robinia pseudoacacia in Belfast Botanic Gardens

compound leaf of Robinia pseudoacacia
One of two Robinia trees in front of the Palm House in Belfast Botanic Gardens Compound leaf of Robinia

Robinia pseudoacacia flowering in Belfast Botanic Gardens

flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia
Robinia flowering prolifically in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2010 Flowers of Robinia

bark of Robinia pseudoacacia with epicormic shoots

enclosed axial bud of Robinia pseudoacacia
Bark of Robinia with epicormic shoots The axial bud in Robinia is concealed by the base of the leaf-stalk - to the right of photo

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2010. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.

Click here to view the rest of the tree archive