Pronounciation: Va-KEL-lee-a bra-voo-EN-sis
Hardiness zones
Sunset 8, 9, 12-24
USDA 9-11 (arid zones only)
Landscape Use: Strong, dominant accent, focal point, informal with a bit of wildness, xeric and desert designs.
Form & Character: Partially deciduous to evergreen tree, twisting, turning, domineering, exotic.
Growth Habit: Vigorous to 25 feet with often greater spread.
Foliage/texture: Small pinnately compound leaves on coarse stems. Foliage masks prominent stipular thorns; coarse texture.
Flowers & fruits: Fragrant, golden yellow puff ball flowers followed by brown pods.
Seasonal color: Golden yellow in February/March.
Temperature: Tolerant
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well drained, or allow soil to dry between watering events once established.
Watering: Drought tolerant, plant vigor strongly, positively related to increased irrigation.
Pruning: Prune to an open and upright crown. Vigorously train for best shape and strong schaffold branches when young.
Propagation: Seed
Disease and pests: Various root rot pathogens in poorly drained sites.
Additional comments: An oddly interesting, but seldom used tree in the
Phoenix area because of it's random branch architecture that is difficult to
control and demands large amounts of space. Use this tree with much discretion because of it's medusa
form which makes this plant such a strong accent. Not well suited for
residential use.
I often think of this tree as palo brea's (Parkinsonia
praecox) long lost ugly cousin because they both share a similar medusa-like
crown structure.
The name change to the genus Vachellia occurred in 2005.