As with honey locust, black locust reproduces through distinct hanging pods. However, unlike honey locust, its pods are quite toxic. In fact, every part of the tree is considered toxic; there have even been rare cases of illness even from consuming the honey made from the flowers of the tree.
Black locust is a major honey plant in eastern USA, and, having been taken and planted in France, is the source of the renowned acacia monofloral honey from France.
Black locust is a legume in the family Fabaceae, which makes it capable of hosting nitrogen-fixing bacteria on its root system. It is extremly hard wood and long lasting, making it prized for fence post. As a young man, Abraham Lincoln spent a lot of time splitting rails and fence posts from black locust logs.