How does black locust care for us?

Native to Eastern North America, Black Locust has found a home throughout the country.  An enthusiastic overstory tree, whose slender leaves allow lots of light through to the beings below, they grow very rapidly, survive droughts and severe winters and tolerate poor soils well.  They are often chosen for the erosion control provided by their zealous root system. They are loved by humans for their rot resistant, very hard wood and by honeybees who feed at their abundant spring flowers.  Early indigenous peoples crafted arrows, bows, and many tools from this prized tree. 

A widely planted reclamation species, Black Locust is a dynamic accumulator who draws up nutrients from the depths of the soil into their many small leaves.  As nitrogen fixers, they are considered to be a regenerator of poor soils.  Younger branches have spines or protective sharp thorns, likely evolved to protect their tender bark from hungry deer.  They have compounds that make them toxic to animals and humans, but which at the same time makes their wood incredibly impervious to rot and one of the strongest of any tree.  Between their wood being impervious to rot, their sharp spines, and their aggressive root suckers, they are impolite and resistant.