Utilisation:

Black locust can be used as a supplementary species in manufacturing particle boards.
The Mohács Fibreboard Factory has successfully solved the utilisation problems of black locust. Interestingly, (wet) fibreboards retain the typical yellowish-greenish colour of black locust wood.

Hungarian furniture industry has first started using black locust as hidden structural components (e.g., the framework of upholstered furniture, clothes-hanger rods, etc.). Locust kitchen chairs (petite seats) and desk frames were introduced in the middle of the 70’s, and subsequently, black locust also appeared as raw material for living room chairs and tables. Its use as material for indoor furniture was hindered both by its colour multitude and difficult machinability. These problems have been solved by steaming, dyeing and the use of modern carbide-tipped tools, so much so that today even edge-profiled solid wood panels are made of it. Owing to its durability, black locust is currently the most important raw material for outdoor furniture. Significant quantities of hardwood flooring, staircase and railings are also made of it in Hungary. It plays an important part in structural applications, glulam beams, residential housing, tool-sheds, fence components and panelling. In addition to solid wood flooring, laminated floors are also manufactured (e.g. at Barcs or Zalahaláp) where the surface layer exposed to wear is made of black locust. Cartwright traditionally makes use of black locust. Tool handles are produced in large amounts of it. Attempts seem to be successful to manufacture large glued-laminated railway ties for switches. Traditionally, wine barrels have been made of oak during the past centuries. At first (some 15-20 years ago), there was a strong aversion against the introduction black locust vats. Yet, black locust turned out to be an excellent resource for tight barrels! The wood is impermeable to liquids, regardless of sawing direction, and black locust staves rarely break during bending. The characteristic odour and colour of black locust do not have a negative effect on the wine quality. At last, the utilisation of black locust as energy source has to be mentioned. Currently, 600 to 700 thousand m3 of black locust firewood is used in Hungary annually. Also, promising experiments are conducted into establishing short-rotation energy wood plantations.