Acacia constricta

Whitethorn Acacia

Tree

This dense and scrubby deciduous tree is very tough, tolerating a wide range of unfavorable conditions. It quickly forms a thicket of thorny branches up to eight feet high and as wide. It can be trained to a single or multiple-trunk tree that grows to 18 feet.

Temperature

Hardy to 5F.

Water requirements

None once established.

Sun

Full sun.

Soil

Tolerant.

Maintenance

Periodic, depending on form.

Disadvantages

Thorns appear on new growth. Profuse seeding, defoliation by caterpillars, mistletoe.

Bloom

Yellow, fragrant puffball flowers appear in spring and sometimes again after summer rains.

Fruit or Seeds

Small papery beans follow flowers.

Uses

Hedge, patio tree, erosion control.

Origin

Native to the U.S. southwest and Mexico. Member of the Fabaceae family.

Themes

Native, Desert Grassland, Desert, Desert Transitional, Bird, Fragrant.

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