---
title: Black Wattle
date: 2024-02-14T11:00:00+11:00
author: Private Forests Tasmania
canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/tree-species/black-wattle"
section: Tree Species
---
1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/)
2. Black Wattle
 

#  Black Wattle 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Tree-Species/_800x800_crop_center-center_none/77135/Black-Wattle-Acacia-mearnsii.webp) 

## Scientific Name

Acacia Mearnsii

## Family Name

MIMOSACEAE

## Common Name

Black Wattle

 

 

### General Information

 

  Height 10.0m (1000cm)   Flowers Pale yellow globular heads of 20-30 flowers   Fruit Seed pods   Form Tree   Municipalities Break O'Day; Brighton; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; West Coast; West Tamar   Communities Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Grassy Vegetation   Habitat Notes Frost and drought tolerant but sensitive to fire when young(less than three years). Adapts to a wide range of soils including relatively infertile sites. Will tolerate occasional inundation.   Site Tolerance Dry; Moist; Shady   Frost Tolerance Hardy   Soil Tolerance Fertile; Loam; Poor; Poorly-drained; Well-drained   General Notes Susceptible to browsing by hares and rabbits. Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi Useful as a medium level cover (up to 15m) in windbreaks. A good shade tree, useful in erosion control, due to its quick growth and ability to improve soil quality. Provides important structural diversity for nesting and foraging wildlife.Leaves, flowers, seed pods and bark can be used in dyeing.Important food source for sugar gliders.Often heavily infested with rust galls reducing future seed cropping potential.Koori (mainland) use: It was an important source of gum, which was eaten or dissolved in water with flower nectar to make sweet drinks. When mixed wih burnt mussel shell or wood ashes it formed a cement for water buckets made from the bark of the tree. The bark made fibre for coarse string and infused with water. Not suitable below powerlines.   

 

### Propagation Details

Flowering MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSeed Collecting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowing MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCutting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 

 

 

### Seed Information

 

  Seed Collection Pods dark brown, flat, slightly constricted between seeds.seed commonly dropped in jan/feb. pods may take 14 months to mature.good seed years are infrequent   Seed Treatment Method Hot water   Seed Storage Life Long   Viable Seeds Per Gram 110-120   Seed Treatment Notes Seed extraction is difficult. To successfully extract seed , pod must be just starting to open (listen for seeds rattling). Pour hot water (80-90C) over the seed and allow to soak for 12 hours.   Germination Time 2 weeks - 40 days   

 

### Cuttings

 

  Cutting Notes Most Acacias are readily propagated by seed. Cuttings are possible with "phyllode bearing" Acacias, more so than with "feathery leaved" species.