Acacia melanoxylon

Common Name:
Blackwood

Description:
Acacia melanoxylon, commonly known as Blackwood, is a versatile and stately Australian native tree prized both for its ornamental value and its high-quality timber. Native to southeastern Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania, it grows naturally in a range of habitats from coastal areas to cool temperate forests. This evergreen tree features dark green, lance-shaped phyllodes and produces creamy pale-yellow, ball-shaped flowers from late winter into spring. The foliage is dense and attractive, offering year-round structure and shade. In cultivation, Blackwood is well-suited to a variety of soil types, preferring deep, well-drained soils and consistent moisture, especially when young. It is hardy in Melbourne’s climate and performs best in full sun to part shade. Blackwood is commonly used in revegetation projects, as a shelterbelt or windbreak, and in larger landscapes as a feature tree. Due to its rapid growth and large eventual size, it's best suited to parks, rural properties, or spacious gardens rather than confined urban spaces.

Form:

• Tree - Large

Mature Size:

• Height: 10 to 30 metres (commonly around 15–20 m in cultivation)

• Width: 6 to 15 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Winter

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Pale Yellow

• Cream

Key Attributes:

• Australian native

• Bird Attracting

• Bee Attracting

• Suitable for Windbreaks

• Fast Growing

• Edible Seeds (after proper preparation)

• Timber Tree

• Suitable for Revegetation Projects

Toxicity:
Not known to be toxic to humans or animals. Seeds must be properly prepared before consumption.

Companion Plants:

• Eucalyptus species

• Lomandra longifolia

• Dianella

• Hardenbergia

• Bursaria spinosa