Black wattle
A very fast-growing Acacia species preferring high annual rainfall and clay loam soils. Most often used as a nurse crop species. Has great potential as a fast-growing firewood option.
Black wattle |
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Botanical name |
Acacia mearnsii |
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Growth rate in preferred conditions |
Very fast |
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Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60cm diameter at breast height |
10-20 |
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Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) |
1000+ |
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Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) |
800 |
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Preferred elevation (m) asl |
0-850 |
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Preferred landscape position |
Lower slope |
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Preferred Soil |
Clay loam |
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Prohibitive soil |
Duplex and/or heavy clay |
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Poor drainage tolerance |
Moderate to high |
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Dry site tolerance |
Moderate |
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Frost tolerance |
Very high |
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Pest and disease problems: |
Fireblight larvae, Longicorn borers |
Timber Characteristics1 |
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Strength: seasoned timber only |
SD4: moderate |
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Durability1: in ground | above ground |
4 | 4 |
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Drying: green to 12% moisture content |
Shrinkage at about 4% radial and 6% tangential. |
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Main commercial products |
Internal flooring, tanning bark, furniture, firewood |
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Bushfire resistance2: measured by Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) |
Not available. Given slightly higher wood density than silver wattle, it is expected to have a similar BAL |
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Least attractive features |
Tendency to branch vigorously, fire sensitive, requires intensive silviculture to prevent suppression of slower growing species. |
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Most attractive features |
Fast growth, legume, tolerates poor drainage and good option for mixed species stands. Strong firewood potential. |
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Status as a plantation species in Gippsland |
Minor. |
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1 Based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings. AS 5604-2005. Refer to Appendix for explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience. 2 Naturally bushfire resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018. |
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Assumptions and notes:
- Sites considered for planting contain at least 1 metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g. bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots.)
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2007. Acacia Utilisation and Management: Adding Value. RIRDC Publication No. 07/095, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Boland, D.J. et. al (1992). Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle, K.R. (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie, A.J. (2002). Field Guide to Common Pests and Diseases in Eucalypt Plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke, B., McLeod, I. and Vercoe, T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 Promising Species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
http://www.rajalaut.com/download/AS%205604-2005%20Timber%20-%20Natural%20durability%20ratings.pdf
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/farm-forestry-model/species-selection-tool/species/cypress/macrocarpa/
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/system/assets/2056/Eucalypt_Information_Note_1_-_Choosing_eucalypts.pdf
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/farm-forestry-model/species-selection-tool/species/redwood/coast-redwood/
https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/511553/Silverwattle.pdf
Mortimer, J. (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber Species and Properties (Revised edition). Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas, I.D., Gifford, H.H., and Kimberely, M.O. (1997). Siting Black Walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips, C. (1996). Insects, Diseases and Deficiencies associated with Eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole, B., Waugh, G. and Yang, J.L. (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid, R. (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper, C. J. (2002). Plantation Eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper, C.J. (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia In. Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2008. Plantation Eucalypts for High Value Timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.