Vachellia karroo | Sweet thorn tree for sale | Soetdoring boom

Sweet thorn is very frost hardy and moderately drought tolerant. It is a deciduous thorn tree which grows at an average rate. Acacia karroo (recently renamed as Vachellia karroo) is 'n pioneer species. It establishes quite quickly in a stripped area and offers a micro-climate for the benefit of other indigenous plants. Sweet thorn has a moderately aggressive root system. Being a pioneer, it has a relatively short lifetime (about 30 years).  It exhibits a beautiful display of bright-yellow, globose flowers in early summer.  

A few gardening ideas:

Vachellia karroo is not recommended for a small garden. For larger gardens you can use its pioneer attribute to protect sensitive trees and plants during cold spells and from heat waves. Sweet thorn responds favorably to pruning and does well in a (large) container when properly cared for. Follow this method if you have a small or even very small garden.

Value to honeybees: Nectar, N0-2;  Pollen, P0-2; Flowering months 10-4.   (See  blog-post "The bee-value of South Africa's trees" for an explanation of codes)

For more information on this species go to PlantZAfrica: Vachellia karroo, Sweet thorn, Soetdoring