Native of Tasmania and the southern parts of Australia this tree grows very well in the UK & Ireland.  It is often used in timber production as it yields a valuable timber which is hard & close-grained.

Acacia melanoxylon, otherwise known as the Australian Blackwood, is a graceful evergreen tree with leaves that are a leathery grey-green and variable in shape. Some are fern-like in shape with a slender stem, some have a small leaf where the stem is flattened, but like most Acacia's it produces phyllodes rather than true leaves.

In spring, the flowers are clouds of small, fluffy white to pale yellow flowers which may develop into 10cm brown, twisted-ribbon seed pods. The bark is grey with dark fissures often described as scaly.

This tree prefers a warmer climate, it likes the full sun but needs shelter from harsh winds and cold winters.  This tree does well in coastal areas as they are not as exposed to extreme cold winters.  In ideal growing conditions it will possibly reach 12-15m.

Tree Specs

• Common Name: Australian Blackwood
• Botanical Name: ACACIA melanoxylon
• Mature Height: 12-15m
• Key Features:
  • Evergreen
  • Spring Flowers
  • Valuable Timber
  • Coastal Tree