Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Improvement and Management in Hungary

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) was the first forest tree species to be imported from North America to Europe at the beginning of the 17th century.Its rapid spread all over the world may be attributed to its adaptability to a wide range of conditions, favourable breeding properties, frequent and abundant seed production, excellent coppicing, high survival percentage of seedlings, fast growing and high yielding, as well as good mellification and, not in the least, to the fact that it is damaged only by few diseases and insects.The black locust is one of the most important stand-forming tree species, covering approximately 20% of the forested lands and providing about 18% of the annual timber output of the country. Due to increasing interest in many countries in black locust growing, experience and research results in Hungary, this overview has been compiled with the aim of giving an account on this topic.