Sweet Acacia Tree
Acacia farnesiana
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Category | Tree |
| Size | 20' x 20' |
| Flower Color | Golden Yellow Puffballs |
| Flower Season | Winter to Spring |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Water | Low |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Hardiness | 10°F |
| Notes: | Woody pods create litter |
Description
Sweet acacia is a small to medium sized tree that grows to 20 feet tall and develops a 20 foot canopy. Fragrant, golden yellow, puffball-like flowers appear in late winter and throughout the spring. Flowers are followed by short, dark brown, woody pods. The pods contain many seeds that sprout readily with extra moisture. These volunteers can become weedy in certain situations. The branches have 1 inch long thorns that can be a nuisance when pruning. The scientific name of sweet acacia tree is Acacia farnesiana, though it is sometimes called Acacia smallii in the trade.
Maintenance
Sweet acacia tree does require a good deal of maintenance. Although drought-tolerant, this highly decorative tree will benefit from a few deep, thorough soakings in the summer. Plant sweet acacia in full sun exposures and in soil that has good drainage. It tends to be multiple stemmed and shrub-like, requiring substantial pruning to shape. After flowering, sweet acacia tree produces an abundance of dark, woody seed pods that can create a litter problem in high-traffic areas.
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