Description and Taxonomy
– Acacia melanoxylon can grow up to 20m (66ft) in height with a diameter of 150cm (59in).
– The bark is dark-grey to black and scaly on older trees.
– The branches are angular and ribbed.
– Instead of true leaves, it has phyllodes that are dark green to greyish-green in color.
– The flower-heads are spherical and pale yellow to nearly white.
– It was first described by Robert Brown in 1813.
– It was previously classified as Racosperma melanoxylon but was returned to the genus Acacia.
– Known synonyms include Acacia arcuata, Mimosa melanoxylon, and Acacia melanoxylon var. obtusifolia.
Distribution
– Acacia melanoxylon is native to the east coast of Australia, from Queensland to South Australia.
– It is also found in Tasmania and naturalized in Western Australia.
– It is commonly found in wet sclerophyll and cooler rainforest communities.
– It grows in a wide range of podsols, especially sandy loams.
– Its altitude range extends to the Nandewar Range, Liverpool Range, and Orange.
Timber
– Acacia melanoxylon is valued for its decorative timber, which is used in cabinets, musical instruments, and boatbuilding.
– The sapwood ranges from straw to grey-white, while the heartwood is golden to dark brown.
– It has a straight grain, but it may be wavy or interlocked.
– When quartersawn, it produces an attractive fiddleback figure.
– It is easily stained and produces a high-quality finish.
Invasive Species
– Acacia melanoxylon has been introduced to many countries for forestry and as an ornamental tree.
– It is present in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, South America, and the United States.
– It has been declared a noxious weed species in South Africa.
– In some places, it has been phased out as a street tree due to damage to pavements and plumbing.
– It is considered a pest in some regions of Tasmania. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_melanoxylon
