---
title: Silver Wattle
date: 2024-02-13T14:16:00+11:00
author: Private Forests Tasmania
canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/tree-species/silver-wattle"
section: Tree Species
---
1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/)
2. Silver Wattle
 

#  Silver Wattle 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Tree-Species/_800x800_crop_center-center_none/77139/Silver-Wattle-Acacia-dealbata.webp) 

## Scientific Name

Acacia dealbata

## Family Name

MIMOSACEAE

## Common Name

Silver Wattle

 

 

### General Information

 

  Height 5.0m - 30.0m (500-3000cm)   Flowers Bright yellow, prolific. Globular flower heads in racemes or panicles.   Fruit Seed pods   Municipalities Small to medium tree with growth varying with conditions   Communities Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Riparian; Wet Eucalypt Forest   Habitat Notes Tolerates a wide range of soils, except poorly drained or permanently wet soils. Best growth on moist, fertile sites. Tolerates strong winds, frost and snow.   Site Tolerance Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy   Frost Tolerance Hardy   Soil Tolerance Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained   General Notes A hardy, widespread species. Very fast growing. Pioneer species, good "nurse" plant to shelter other species. Fixes nitrogen. Fire retardant. Prone to attack by gall rusts, caterpillars and borers. Foliage is palatable to stock. Used for cut flower and foliage industry. Timber used for furniture, pulp. Bark tannin can be used for tanning. Fast-burning firewood, but poor fuel compared to other wattles. Establishes well from direct seeding. Natural regeneration common from seed or suckers. Excellent wildlife habitat. Susceptible to browsing by hares and rabbits. Koori (mainland) use: The wood was used for the handles of stone axes, with the gum used to fasten the head to the handle. The gum was eaten, or dissolved in water with nectar to make a sweet drink.Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Not suitable below powerlines.   

 

### Propagation Details

Flowering MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSeed Collecting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowing MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCutting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 

 

 

### Seed Information

 

  Seed Collection Seeds drop soon after they turn brown. produces large crops every 2-3 years   Seed Treatment Method Boiling water   Seed Storage Life Long   Viable Seeds Per Gram 45-84   Seed Treatment Notes Usually high viability and very long storage life. Seed may persist in soil for 50 years.   Germination Time 2-4 weeks   

 

### Cuttings

 

  Propagation By Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.   Cutting Notes Most Acacias are readily propagated by seed. Cuttings are possible with "phyllode bearing" Acacias, more so than with "feathery leaved" species.