Robi Decking® and Propagate Partner to Scale Domestically Grown Black Locust for Premium Outdoor Wood Products
Partnership will expand supply and grow demand of North America’s strongest, most rot-resistant native hardwood available for the decking, siding, and outdoor building products
Winston-Salem, NC & New York, NY – May 2026
Black Locust Decking from Robi Decking
Robi Decking, the premier supplier of sustainable outdoor wood products including Black Locust , and Propagate, a leading agroforestry development company, today announced a strategic partnership to develop a reliable, domestically grown supply of high-quality Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) for decking, siding, lumber, and outdoor building products.
Under the partnership, Propagate will develop and source regionally grown Black Locust across the United States, leveraging its network of growers, nurseries, and agroforestry projects. Robi Decking will process and bring this material to market as premium decking, siding, deck tiles, permeable wood pavers, dimensional lumber, and other products. The companies aim to position Black Locust as the leading alternative to tropical hardwoods and synthetic/chemically treated lumber.
Black Locust is the strongest and most rot-resistant wood available in North America. Naturally resistant to decay, mildew, and insects, it rivals tropical hardwoods like Ipe in durability while growing faster than any other North American hardwood—making it one of the most sustainable timber species available. As customer demand is surging the supply must continue to increase..
“Black Locust is the best outdoor wood product on the market. Our company is seeing a shift away from synthetic products and chemically enhanced products, as well as a reticence towards using tropical hardwoods. As the fastest growing decking company in our market, this partnership with Propogate will enable us to continue to deliver the high quality products our customers demand” said Zach Rike, Founder of Robi Decking.”
1 Year old Black Locust Tree in Kentucky
“Robi Decking has built the leading brand in Black Locust outdoor products,” said Jeremy Kaufman, COO of Propagate. “This partnership connects our grower network directly to a company that knows how to turn this exceptional wood into products people love—creating value for landowners, builders, and forests.”
The collaboration will focus on supply chain development, product integration, and joint market education. Propagate will ensure the regionally sourced Black Locust meets Robi Decking’s specified quality, grading, and dimensional standards. Robi Decking, in turn, will continue to deliver customer driven material specifications. Joint efforts will educate architects, builders, building suppliers, and project owners on Black Locust products.
About Robi Decking
Founded in 2015, Robi Decking® is the premier supplier of sustainable outdoor wood products. We specialize in Black Locust and Sassafras lumber and decking – the most durable, beautiful, and environmentally-friendly outdoor wood choices available.. Learn more at robidecking.com .
About Propagate
Propagate, founded in 2018, is a leading agroforestry development company working across the eastern United States to design, finance, and scale perennial farm systems. Through its network of growers, nurseries, and agroforestry supply-chain programs, Propagate helps landowners build long-term value from tree crops including black locust. Learn more at propagate.ag.
Contact:
To Robi Decking: Elizabeth Earley, Marketing, Robi Decking, marketing@robidecking.com
To Propagate: Jeremy Kaufman, COO, Propagate, jeremy@propagateag.com
