In Hungary the false indigo bush was formerly planted as a forestry and soil protection measure. Its predicted benefits are however superseded by the problems it causes – that is why it is not planted any more. Due to its quick, spontaneous spread and growth it became a problem primarily in alluvial forests during renewal and planting.

From the conservation point of view its effect is catastrophic mainly on alluvial herbaceous vegetation, especially on grasslands. If mowing or grazing falls out for one or two years on such habitats, the false indigo bush transforms them with its quick and massive growth to an impermeable thicket. Due to casting shadows and other concurrent effects (e.g. allelopathy) it supplants grassland species. Its nitrogen binding root system and nitrogen rich litter causes a significant growth in the nutrient load of the soil, thus on areas where its population has been resent for some time, creation of grassland vegetation is difficult even after elimination of the bush itself, for the site is occupied by nitrophilic weeds for a long time. Where numerous, it hampers management of ploughlands and grasslands and accelerates clogging of channels and grooves.

Sites infected by the false indigo bush become unsuitable habitats for birds originally breeding there (e.g. corncrake) as well as for birds of prey bound to open habitats. Animal diversity inhabiting homogenous false indigo thickets is rather low. For large mammal species (roe deer, red deer) such thickets are virtually impassable. These closed monodominant populations stay in an absorbing state of succession for a long time, creating a kind of “green desert” in alluvial habitats and grasslands.

Due to its strong root system, the false indigo bush is successfully planted for halting shifting sand, erosion and steep slopes. Its sticks are used for wattle and wreath making up to present times along the Kőrös Rivers and the upper Tisza River. Sometimes it is even planted as ornamental plant. In Hungary it is popular mainly due to being a honey plant. However, the price for its honey stays 30% below that of the black locust.

Gazdálkodóknak