Acknowledgments

Introduction

Featured Trees

Tree Location

Additional Feature Photos

Dawn Redwood

Kentucky Coffeetree

Ornamental Pear

Blue Beech

Northern Catalpa

Ginkgo

American Yellowwood

River Birch

Red Pine

Magnolia

Japanese Tree Lilac

Quaking Aspen

Tulip Tree

Eastern Redbud

Eastern White Pine

Amur Maackia

Autumn Purple Ash

Crabapple 'Donald Wyman'

Princess Kay Canadian Plum

Ruby Red Horsechestnut

Black Locust ‘Purple Robe’

Northern Pin Oak

Freeman Maple

Black Alder

Littleleaf Linden

Balsam Fir

Norway Spruce 'Acrocona'

Trees Company

Glossary

References

(Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe')

The Purple Robe Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe') was introduced to the Winona State University campus during the spring of 2002.  It is a beautiful tree cultivar of the Black Locust species.

The Common or Black Locust is native to the Appalachian Mountains and belongs to the pea, or legume, family.  It has since been grown successfully across the United States. 

The foliage of the Purple Robe Black Locust emerges as a bronzy-red turning a bronzy-green as the leaves mature.  The tree has short, prickly thorns arranged in pairs along the branches.

The Purple Robe Black Locust, a bit shorter than the Common Locust, is a fast-growing tree that generally reaches average heights of 40 to 50 feet and features an ascending, outward branching habit that becomes more globular in shape with age.  The tree is said to be adaptable to a wide variety of soils and climates.

While the more common Black Locust has small white flowers, the Purple Robe Locust develops flowers that emerge purple and open to a dark rose-pink.  The tree blooms in late spring and the attractive flowers can persist for two weeks or more. 

At Winona State University, the Purple Robe Black Locust is located across the railroad tracks, along Belleview Street just north of the campus greenhouses.

(see #39 on the maps)