The trees in this grove are black locust trees. Their introduction on the west side of the farmstead was advocated by the Soil Conservation Service during the Dustbowl years of the 1930s. They were widely promoted for soil conservation. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) reproduce both by pollen and via root suckers, so the entire grove that you see may in fact be just a few individual organisms. The Schumachers would cut and store this wood for the winter for use as fuel on the farm. Black locust is dense wood. A cord of black locust wood provides the same amount of heat as a ton of anthracite coal. Black locusts live about 60 years, so this grove is very old and nearing the end of its life span.