10 x Acacia nigrescens / Knob thorn

Acacia nigrescens / Knob thorn (e), Knoppiesdoring (a), umKhaya (z). Fairly hardy (protect from frost when young), drought resistant, deciduous tree with a straight stem and rough bark with large spine tipped knobs; especially on the trunks of young trees. It has hard ferocious hook thorns, branches high up and has a spreading crown. In autumn the foliage turns yellow. Before the leaves appear, the tree is covered in masses of deep pink buds that open into spikes of scented creamy-white flowers that attract a mass of insects and birds. It is a little slow growing to start. This tree makes a good bonsai subject. Hole nesting birds favour this tree. Cattle and game relish the dark pods. This tree, along with Combretum imberbe (Leadwood), is the quintessential bushveld tree. Size 7 to 20m