I lived in Florence, Kentucky, Boone, County. Florence is 11 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio on Interstate 75. My yard was full of black walnut trees as well. From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Sherrer Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:43 PM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Work Bench Where did you live when these trees were in your yard? John http://WhiteCane.org http://BlindWoodWorker.com http://HolyTeaClub.comcom\whitecane <http://HolyTeaClub.comcom/whitecane> http://anellos.ws ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Hodges <mailto:tomhodges@xxxxxxxx> To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 1:44 PM Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Work Bench You didn't mention the thorns. The black locust trees in my yard were , at least, 50 feet tall. From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Sherrer Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:44 AM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Work Bench The bark and leaves are an irritant. The wood is safe according to the wood toxicity chart. The trees do not get big since the locus borer will kill them. But the trees are fast growers and are used all over the U.S. and europe to reforest an area. John http://WhiteCane.org http://BlindWoodWorker.com http://HolyTeaClub.comcom\whitecane <http://HolyTeaClub.comcom/whitecane> http://anellos.ws ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Hodges <mailto:tomhodges@xxxxxxxx> To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:31 AM Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Work Bench It was good to hear from someone on this list. I've never used the black locust wood but hearing about it brought back a lot of unpleasant memories. I lived on 5 and a half acres in Florence, Kentucky about 30 years ago and there were plenty of black locust trees around. I especially remember the 2 to 4 inch long thorns that went right through my riding mower tires. I also remember getting stuck with those things and it would temporarily cause a pain to run from your finger all the way up your arm. I guess the is some kind of poison in those thorns and they sure hurt. Again, thanks for the memories. Grin. Regards, Tom From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John E Sherrer Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:43 PM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Work Bench I am currently building an adaptive work bench. The primary wood I am using is Black Locus, also called Black Acaicia. It may be in the top three of the hardest woods grown in the U.S. Since I live 200 miles from my shop, it is a slow process getting it done. We have a second home in the North Carolina mountains and we do plan to move their. While my business is going good, we will not move. John http://WhiteCane.org http://BlindWoodWorker.com http://abrcaa.com http://www.holyteaclub.com/whitecane