Acacia Melanoxylon

Blackwood

Botanical Name: Acacia melanoxylon
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: South Australia (Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, South East), Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, QLD highlands
Plant Type: Evergreen medium to large tree

Overview

Acacia melanoxylon, or Blackwood, is one of South Australia’s most versatile native trees. Naturally found in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the South East, it adapts beautifully to Adelaide’s temperate and Mediterranean climate. Blackwood forms a tall, dense canopy with dark, leathery phyllodes, providing excellent year-round shade. From late winter into spring, it produces masses of pale yellow flower clusters. Hardy and long-lived, it’s a standout for large gardens, rural properties, or habitat plantings across SA.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 10–20 m H x 6–12 m W in SA gardens (larger in higher rainfall districts)
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Dark green, leathery, lance-shaped phyllodes; dense canopy provides cool shade in summer
• Flowers: Cream to pale yellow “pom-poms” in late winter–spring; lightly scented
• Seasonal Interest: Winter–spring bloom; evergreen structure year-round
• Wildlife Value: Supports local insects, nectar feeders, and provides nesting habitat for small birds
• Tolerance: Very drought-hardy once established; frost hardy; tolerates SA clay loams and sandy soils, provided drainage is reasonable
• Planting Density: Shelterbelt/screen: 3–5 m apart; Shade/windbreak: 5–8 m apart; Specimen: 6–10 m clearance
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic / pet-friendly (as with any plant, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild tummy upset)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (thrives in SA’s bright conditions)
• Soil: Adaptable—grows well in SA loams, clays, and sandy soils
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rainfed in cooler months
• Maintenance: Prune lightly when young to encourage shape; little needed once mature; mulch in spring to retain soil moisture
• Lifespan: 40–80+ years in SA conditions
• Climate Zones: Perfect for Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu, coastal SA (second-line), and temperate/Mediterranean backyards
• Soil pH:  Neutral to slightly acidic

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Stately shade tree for larger SA gardens, schools, and parks
• Shelterbelt/windbreak on rural or semi-rural properties
• Habitat planting to attract SA birds and pollinators
• Long-term feature tree for driveways or boundary planting
• Suited to Adelaide Hills & higher rainfall regions, but also adaptable to low-rainfall sites with occasional deep watering

Why You Will Love It

A true South Australian native, Blackwood provides shade, shelter, and beauty for decades. Hardy to heat, wind, and drought once established, it’s ideal for Adelaide’s climate and delivers timeless value as a feature tree or habitat planting.