Acacia maidenii

Cultivation Details

Acacia maidenii is a plant of the moist, warm temperate and subtropical zones of eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 32°c, but can tolerate 10 - 38°c^[1]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 600 - 1,300mm^[1]. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil^[1]. Succeeds in a range of soil textures from sandy to clay^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7^[1]. A fast-growing tree that can be relatively short-lived^[2]. In one trial in Queensland, the tree gave excellent survival (99%) and reasonable growth performance (mean height of 4.4 metres and mean diameter at ground level of 9.7cm) when assessed at two years^[2]. The good shape and relatively dense foliage of this species make it suitable for amenity use and to provide shade^[2]. The seeds of most acacia species can be quickly and efficiently harvested at full maturity without the need for any specialised equipment. Small seed-bearing branches can be cut and beaten on sheets, or bushes can be beaten or shaken directly onto large sheets^[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby^[2]. This species is related to Acacia floribunda and Acacia longifolia^[4].