Locust Tree Thorns

cbxjeff

I have a locust tree that I need to take down soon before it falls on my house.  Taking it down isn't a problem but I probably will just let it lay in the yard until spring.  I'm worn out from cutting, splitting, and stacking the last 6 weeks. My question is about the thorns.  How long does it take before they start to disintegrate? Will I have to pick them all up by hand next April? They are great for fence posts but also are a pain.

Chief Shaway

Never.

They turn brown but never turn to dust.

I have an old cattle pasture full of the blasted things.

Butchdog2

Eons.

Any air inflated tire will easily pick them up for you.

cbxjeff

That's not what I wanted to hear guys but thanks for the info.

chme

Rake them up.  They make great finishing nails.  

love2shoot

Shave off what you can and try to keep track of the rest, good luck!!

bpost

Locust thorns are bad but the Hawthorn Tree has 16 penny spikes that will ruin your day along with Osage Orange tree spikes.  You have the most excellent firewood available, it will scare you from its heat output but those thorns are a PIA for sure.

Mobuck

"My question is about the thorns.  How long does it take before they start to disintegrate? "
I concur with the estimate of "never". 

jar

I have found it best to cut it down green and drag it to a place to work it up out of the normal traveling paths. if its good and green the thorns will stay attached. work it up when you can. then rake  up what you can. then hopefully you wont need to be traveling thru where you worked it up. at least thats how we do them. good luck

Chief Shaway

Also, put stump killer on it.

If not, you’ll have a hundred trees growing.

Ask me how I know 😖

dreher

I used to cut a lot of locust fence posts.  On day one of cutting fence posts I introduced myself to a locust thorn.  Really got myself good, I couldn't hardly use my hand for over a week.  Never got more than a scratch after that.  If you are very careful those thorns can be avoided, I know because I did it.  Pain is a very, very good teacher!!  As I said, I really got myself good day one so I was well taught on the thorn topic!!       

dreher

I just remembered that I swapped 350 split locust posts even up for a real good black Perchon draft yearling colt!!  One of many, many things my first wife ended up with.

On this topic why does a woman need all my Snap-on tools and my 140 lb. Trenton anvil??  I should have had a better lawyer!!!!!

oldemagics

i cut and installed MANY black locust fence posts, most were still solid after 40 years in swampy ground !

like the other post mentioned, locust gives awesome heat as well, and made many tool handles from it as it does wear like steel

danielgage

I have seen them start growing after putting them in the ground as fence posts

I have also seen sparks when cutting them with chainsaw

Butchdog2

Black and yellow locust might be the same but in this neck of the woods it is yellow locust. Tough as nails, eats chain saw chains, burns very hot, my choice above any hardwood for heat, and fairly rot resistant.

We messed with a circle sawmill some and Dad would use locust for the saw guides.

Fence row or grown up fields locust is hard to split and won't resist rot very long.

Starting to be a shortage around here, disease of some sort hitting it.

He Dog

Very hard wood, those things last long as has been noted.  Get out the branches then rake.