Blackwood
Acacia melanoxylon
Also listed as Racosperma melanoxylon, Acacia arcuata
Also known as Tasmanian Blackwood, Australian Blackwood, Blackwood Acacia
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blackwood grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Blackwood is a fast-growing Australian acacia that develops a broad, spreading crown and dark timber. It produces fragrant, pale yellow flower spikes in spring and thrives in full sun with minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Blackwood grows faster than many native acacias while establishing a substantial canopy suitable for windbreaks or timber production in temperate zones. Its tolerance of poor soils and low water requirements once established make it useful where more demanding species struggle, though growth rates and timber quality vary considerably by climate and provenance.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment despite the species' eventual drought tolerance. Growth can become leggy or uneven if shading from other vegetation is uneven, so site selection and early competition management affect form development.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Eastern Australia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Blackwood is a fast-growing Australian acacia that develops a broad, spreading crown and dark timber. It produces fragrant, pale yellow flower spikes in spring and thrives in full sun with minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blackwood grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Blackwood grows faster than many native acacias while establishing a substantial canopy suitable for windbreaks or timber production in temperate zones. Its tolerance of poor soils and low water requirements once established make it useful where more demanding species struggle, though growth rates and timber quality vary considerably by climate and provenance.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment despite the species' eventual drought tolerance. Growth can become leggy or uneven if shading from other vegetation is uneven, so site selection and early competition management affect form development.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Eastern Australia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.