James H. Schutte
Family
Fabaceae
Botanical Name
Acacia melanoxylon
Plant Common Name
Australian Blackwood, Blackwood
General Description
One of the largest and most cold-hardy acacias in cultivation, this vigorous, medium-sized tree is valued for its toughness, attractive evergreen foliage, and fragrant spring flowers. Native to cool, moist locations in eastern Australia and Tasmania, it rapidly forms an upright tree whose brittle branches are furnished with finely textured, pinnate leaves,or with crescent-shaped, gray-green, leaf-like "phyllodes" (which are actually expanded leaf stems). Mature trees cast moderate to dense shade. In late winter or early spring, fuzzy spherical clusters of creamy-white flowers appear at the bases of the leaves or phyllodes. They give rise to pea-like seed pods that ripen to red-brown. The suckering roots of this tree can invade neighboring plants and damage sidewalks and foundations.
Give this acacia full sun and well-drained acidic to neutral soil. It is ideal for parks and other large areas that require a thrifty, drought resistant tree. It functions well as a windbreak in districts such as coastal and central California. Though it is quite drought resistant, this species struggles in hot low deserts. Water well early in life to encourage deep roots and maximum longevity (50 years or more). This plant self-sows prolifically in favorable environments such as South Africa, where it is listed as an invasive weed.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Light Yellow
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
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Bark Color
Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Platy
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Usage
Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
