Sweet acacia - Acacia farnesiana

Description and Uses

Acacia farnesiana (Sweet acacia) is a tropical tree from Mexico. It is mainly grown for its conservation crops (medium shelflife), The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 2 - 3 years. The first yield will be 0.4 kg/tree flowers but in its top season there will be a yield of 1 kg/tree flowers. There is Cassie perfume extracted by hexane solvent extration from the tree`s flower yielding 0.5 - 1% oil. The tree`s wood is called Farnesiana wood and has a density of 900 - 1050 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 9 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Acacia farnesiana has a lifespan of 45 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 7 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Acacia farnesiana has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Acacia farnesiana is deciduous in winter and not allelopathic and has thorns.

Acacia farnesiana thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1900 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -2°C and optimally between 15 - 28°C. The optimal rainfall is 1000 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 500 - 1000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of water. To salt it is tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 3 months. There are approximative 12000 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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