Exclusive hardwood may be illegally harvested
Black locust is basically as good as ipe--competitive in characteristics like hardness and rot resistance, and I think slighly lower in price.  It has been used for years for fence posts and now a lumber industry for it seems to be maturing.  Apparently it grows like a weed and is even considered invasive in some places.<p>I used black locust for a large porch and am very pleased with it.