Acacia auriculiformis

Plant Type Tree
Evergreen, Broadleaf

Form Rounded

Climate Zones 10a to 11

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring

Growth Rate Fast

Mature Height 60 to 90 feet

Mature Spread 60 to 90 feet

Environment Full sun
Dry to Moist soil
Drought tolerant
Tolerates wetness
Tolerates flooding
Heat tolerant

Soil Alkaline, Neutral, Acidic, Clay, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy, Adaptable, Slightly alkaline

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in color, Not showy

Attributes Not North American native
Invasive
All or parts of this plant are poisonous
Fool proof plant
Deer resistant
Attracts birds
Attractive flowers or blooms
Moderately dense crown
Highly flammable

Uses Massing


Native Habitat Australia

Culture Notes Quickly reaching a height of 40 feet and a spread of 25 feet, Earleaf Acacia becomes a loose, rounded, evergreen, open shade tree. It is often planted for its abundance of small, beautiful, bright yellow flowers and fast growth. The flattened, curved branchlets, which look like leaves, are joined by twisted, brown, ear-shaped seed pods. Growing 6 to 8 feet per year, Earleaf Acacia quickly grows into a medium-sized shade tree. This makes it a popular tree. However, it has brittle wood and weak branch crotches, and the tree can be badly damaged during wind storms.

Prune branches so there is a wide angle of attachment to help them from splitting from the tree. Also be sure to keep the major branches pruned back so they stay less than half the diameter of the trunk. These techniques might increase the longevity of existing trees.

Earleaf Acacia grows in full sun on almost any soil including alkaline and is moderately salt-tolerant. It will withstand periods of water inundation but is also very tolerant of drought. Seeds germinate in the landscape and the tree can be somewhat invasive. However, it is not as invasive as Australian pine or Brazilian pepper and probably will not become so. Because of the invasive habit and weak branches, many people consider this to be an undesirable tree. Trees consistently break apart in storms. This is a poor choice for planting. Trees have phyllodes (not leaves) that look like leaves.

Pests and Diseases None of major concern. Occasionally anthracnose infects leaves.