Acacia pendula

Native range: western NSW, SA and Qld where it grows in woodland floodplains on alluvial soils and clay loams. Height: 5-13 m Width: 4-6 m Flowering: Summer to autumn but can occur at any time if conditions are suitable. Fruiting: Late summer to autumn Light: Full sun to semi-shade Growth rate: Slow Benefits: Weeping Myall (Acacia pendula) is an attractive small to medium-sized, evergreen tree with a weeping habit and silver-green foliage. It is very drought tolerant and can be fast growing when water is plentily available. It is frost tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soils but does not cope with extended waterlogging or permanently wet sites. The foliage is a valuable fodder crop in dry seasons. Plants need to be fenced off from stock to prevent grazing during establishment and early years of growth. Younger plants can reshoot after coppicing or fire, but mature trees will generally not recover. Like all Australian wattles, Acacia pendula fixes nitrogen via Rhizobium bacterium nodules on roots, increasing available nitrogen levels in the soil. The timber is heavy and dark coloured with an attractive grain and a pleasing fragrance, similar to violet flowers. Used for fine cabinetry, craft wood and wood turning. Aboriginal uses include boomerang and didgeridoo production. The timber has been under-recognised and there is considerable potential for its development as a high-quality specialty timber product. Uses: Hardy, mid-level tree for shelterbelts Ornamental and landscaping use in parklands and gardens Shade tree Suited to dry sites Fodder for stock Seeds for native birds, especially parrots Specialty timber used in cabinetry and fine craft items Clean, hot-burning firewood Small, durable fencing posts Propagation: By seed. Pre-treat seeds with boiling water that has been left to sit for one minute and soak overnight. Weed risk: Low Future climate risks: Slower growth and poor flowering during extended dry years and heatwaves. References AVH (2022). The Australasian Virtual Herbarium, Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, https://avh.chah.org.au Brockwell, J., Searle, S.D., Jeavons, A.C. and Waayers, M. 2005. Nitrogen fixation in acacias: an untapped resource for sustainable plantations, farm forestry and land reclamation. ACIAR Monograph No. 115, 132p. https://shorturl.at/tOTW3 Farm Forestry Species Profile for North Central Victoria: Weeping Myall – https://shorturl.at/tzKY1 Maslin, B.R. and McDonald, M.W., AcaciaSearch: evaluation of Acacia as a woody crop option for southern Australia. 2004. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation – https://shorturl.at/JKOX0 PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney – https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ Woolshed Thurgoona Landcare Group website – https://wtlandcare.org/