Is a Sweet Acacia Tree Good for Landscaping?

Identification

• One of the sweet acacia’s biggest problems is its relatively limited growing range. Because it is native to Mexico and Central America, it grows well in the fairly limited U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Where it does grow, however, it is a very tolerant tree. It grows quickly, between 2 and 3 feet in a season, and therefore expands to fill a landscape area in less time than many trees.

Appearance

• The broad, spreading canopy of the sweet acacia creates unique visual properties that recommend it for landscaping. The sweet leaves are a pleasant blue-green color, and are deciduous or partly deciduous -- the tree loses some but not all of its leaves at a time -- but they do not change color in fall, which some may consider a strike against it. Sweet acacia does offer good seasonal color during the winter, when it has its largest bloom, and then periodically throughout the year, following each new period of foliar growth. When in full bloom, the tree can look almost entirely yellow.

Culture

• The sweet acacia eventually grows to a height of 15 to 25 feet with an equal canopy width, but unless trained from an early age, its low canopy can cause a problem over streets, driveways or walkways. A tendency toward weak branch structure also makes early pruning and training important. Other than that, sweet acacia is quite easy to grow, putting up with both drought and salt spray once established. It will grow in a variety of soil types, and only requires full sun for best performance.

Uses

• Wildlife lovers will appreciate the sweet acacia’s persistent fruits, which attract birds and other animals to the garden. The fruit does create a limited litter problem, but because animals often eat the fruit, this issue isn’t severe. Acacia makes a good hedge or screen tree, and when fully leafed out, even provides a moderate measure of shade.