Black locust question??

[Jakesnyder]

So I harvested some black locust the other day and am sure that is what it is. But I've seen bl with like different bark types. Some has really deep ridges and some others that I leaf id has smaller ridges like the picture. Any idea why?

[Hamish]

There are cultivated garden varieties of locust, that have golden leaves in summer rather than mid green leaves. There is natural variation within a species. Also the bark of a young locust is going to be smoother and less prominent than  that of a mature tree.

[Pat B]

If you check the small branches on black locust they have rose like thorns on them unless, like Hamish said they are a cultural variety(cultivar) or a natural variety but most have these thorns on their smaller branches.
 The color of this stave looks more like osage than locust but just the color.