Acacias ( Acacia spp . ) make up a varied group of shrubs and trees aboriginal to warmer portion of the U.S. or to Africa , Asia , Mexico and South America . Many have showy , sometimes fragrant flowers and are especially tolerant of heat and drought . Acacias can grow in a yard when given the right weather and some canonical care .
The Best Spot
Acacia trees farm well in a sunny stain that get full Sunday for most or all of the day . Depending on the variety , they can permit poor period of below - freezing temperatures , especially once well - established . For model , the evergreen plant shoestring acacia ( Acacia stenophylla ) grows 20 feet tall and wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8 through 11 , while the semi - evergreen seraphic acacia ( Acacia farnesiana ) grows 15 to 25 foot tall and wide-eyed in USDA zones 9 through 11 , where winter temperature can drop to 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit , severally . In areas with cold winters , engraft the tree near a south- or W - facing wall , or on top of a side . To forfend crowd , allow at least the breadth of a matured tree between each tree — for example , about 20 feet between shoestring acacias .
Watering Acacias
Acacias grow well in most types of garden soil , including loam , sand or clay , provided it ’s well - drained and does n’t bide waterlogged . Acacias are also quite tolerant of drought , but you may lessen the tenseness on a young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree during a dry spell by providing auxiliary body of water , aiming for about 1 inch per week , admit rain . Mulching the area under the tree also helps preserve moisture while keeping down gage that compete for H2O and land nutrients . Keep mulch back about 6 inch from the tree ’s luggage compartment to prevent wet and insect terms to its barque .
Pruning Acacias
Acacias , including shoe string and sweet acacia , have a naturally treelike habit , an upright and spreading , or a vaselike form , respectively . A young tree benefits from annual pruning for the first few years , but prune only in midspring in cold area , when danger of spring frost has perish . For the shoestring acacia , choose one or two primal , upright stems and prune away others , including any thin , straight shoots , or suckers , that might arise directly from the roots . Remove side branches that work on the lower parts of these stems , until the independent trunk is a few foot tall . dress out any branches that are shaded to afford up the interior of the tree diagram , as these branch have a inclination to dieback and fall in strong twist . This allows the persist branches to turn unassailable and suffer less nothingness damage . For vase - mold varieties , include sweet acacia , pruning is n’t necessary unless the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is in an area frequented by walker or vehicle — if so , cut back off lower branches when the tree is new to prevent trouble . Disinfect your pruning blade by pass over with rub alcohol between cut to deflect spread of works diseases .
Acacia Problems
Acacia trees do n’t require plant food and usually have few if any pest or disease problem . Several variety show , including the shoestring acacia , bring forth large seed pods that can be unsightly when they put down in summertime or fall . This variety also run to have weak branch that can break in steer storm — clip damaged branches off as soon as you see them . The flatware wattle acacia ( Acacia dealbata ) , which grows in USDA zones 9 through 10 , can be encroaching in some theatrical role of the U.S. , spread by sending out underground stems , or rootstock , that can also step in with other plants . malarkey can also spread the tree ’s seed wide , so it ’s skilful to debar plant this potpourri .
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