Yes, scary stuff. Just keep in mind that the “splinter” in this article was actually reported to be 2-3 inches long, and embedded itself deep inside the man’s arm—and remained there for ten days.

Thank you for sharing💕 At least he got to keep the arm… Crazy a splinter caused all that! Anyone who isn’t familiar with pubmed should be!! They’re amazingly informative🌺

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7779141/

I find the smell to be distinct but fairly neutral, not particularly good or bad.
Part of me knows it’s not the best wood to inhale (not that any wood is “good” to) which I think balances out the positive association the smell has with woodworking for me

It’s a pain to find in my area despite growing all around here, at least in terms of woodworking material. And the few times I do see it milled and dried for use here it’s priced higher than it really should be. I honestly just keep my eyes open for people selling it as firewood, though that’s almost always already been cut short and split plus often has cracks forming from improper drying. I make it work though, even if just as accent pieces!

I can definitely smell it as well, though I find it pleasant believe it or not. It reminds me of some condiment, but I can’t think of which right now.

https://ediblealchemy.co/edible-invasive-plants-black-locust/#:~:text=Can%27t%20Beat%20It%3F,locust%20tree%20(see%20below)!

Could you explain more, on a two year old thread.

Wow! That is very nice.

Agreed- it was not Black Locust. The New Englanders used to say —in reference to Black Locust Fence Posts — “It lasts one day longer than stone”. I have worked extensively with the wood and the items I have built that are outside year around have zero indication of rot.

From what you’re telling, I seriously doubt that your boards were black locust. I tore down a fence made of black locust, some years ago. That fence was older than me – built by my grandfather which died many years before I was born. Also, that fence never saw any drop of varnish, paint, oil or any other kind of finish. Aside from a thin layer of grey wood on the surface, caused by the sun, the wood inside the posts was healthy as new, only extremely dry and rigid. And strong like iron – you could neither hammer nails into it nor tear out old and rusty nails.

We’re about to start renovations on a small residential project in south Florida and would love to incorporate black locust into various elements. We’re considering everything from roof fascia to ceiling panels to kitchen cabinets to bris soleil. It would be great to get some thoughts and input from this amazing community, especially as I have no experience in construction nor woodworking. Has anyone had experience with charring black locust in a shou sugi ban style? Separately, does black locust do well with the wildlife in a tropical climate, especially insects (e.g., carpenter ants, termites, etc.)?

Hickory!!

Sounds like your negative experience with black locust is from juvenile growth and not mature outer growth. Look at an old split rail fence at a state park. Older fences show the 1st 10 or 12 years of growth have rotted away and the wood remaining sound is the outer mature wood.

Sounds like you were not working with black locust you must have been using the sugar locust which is not recommended for exterior use.

I have not. I actually have never done any kind of decking. I just personally wouldn’t waste this wood on decking. It’s one of my favorites, by far, and I would rather use it for other applications. That’s just me, though.