Acacia, or black locust, is a tree that grows on dry forests, spacious parks and thickets. They can also be found along dirt roads. She was brought to Europe by the French gardener - Jean Robin in 1601. The name of the species comes from his surname. Currently common all over the world. Acacia in Poland spreads in the natural environment as a domestic species.
Acacia - an ornamental plant containing poisonous chemicals. Despite their occurrence, due to proper processing, the raw material can be used in medicine. It has a number of properties and numerous applications. The tree is delightful with its decorativeness, especially when the white acacia flower appears. It is recognized as a honey plant from which acacia honey is produced.
Acacia: characteristics
Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) are trees native to North America. They belong to the bean family. They reach a height of 25 meters. Robinia acacia grows for forty years, after which its growth stops. It is a short-lived tree - a maximum of 150 years. The acacia leaf has a decorative structure. It is an organ composed of elliptical or ovoid, individual leaves. They develop late and stay on the tree for a long time.
Acacia - flowers: white in color, intense fragrance and gathered in larger, dangling clusters.Thanks to them, this tree is considered a honey plant. It blooms from May to June and is able to repeat them after a few months. This is when acacia trees are the most decorative. The flowers develop fruits - pods in which there are seeds. They can be up to 10 centimeters long.
Acacia: cultivation and requirements
Acacia grows where it is dry and warm. They draw water from deeper parts of the earth, drying it out. It is able to enrich the topsoil with nitrogen. It needs light to grow. There are no big demands on the land in which it grows. It does well on sandy ground. Only it cannot survive on heavy, wet and clay soils. Acacia does not grow in wetlands.
If it finds a suitable position, it quickly develops an extensive root system. Thanks to this property, it grows even in poor soils. It is able to grow with high pollution, so it is commonly found in cities and along roads.Even high salinity does not bother her.
Acacia is resistant to frost and low ambient temperatures. In winter, some part of the plant may be destroyed, but this will not cause the entire tree to die. To plant black locust, you need to prepare a dry stand, and the substrate for its growth, after cleaning, it is worth supplementing with compost. It should be plump, fresh and fertile.
In the first years of the tree's growth, it should be supported until it reaches stabilization. Prefers places sheltered from the wind and away from other plants. In order for it to form a crown, it needs light and free space.
Acacia can be propagated by seeds harvested from long, mature pods. Self-seeded, they can germinate even after ten years. The varieties of individual acacia species can be grafted, then the mother plant's features will be retained.
Acacia: care
Acacia - a tree that likes to be systematically pruned.The shaped crown is able to delight with its appearance and shape for many years. Gardeners thicken it and shape it in such a way as to maximize the exposure of flowers and leaves of the plant. The tree grows quickly, putting out numerous offshoots. They appear even after its beheading. Even after grubbing up, the acacia is renewed. If this tree grows in nature and has a large space around it, shaping will occur spontaneously. The crown will emphasize its beauty in a natural way.
Acacia should be protected against fungal pathogens and pests. One of them is the caterpillar - robiniaczek. It came from South America with the acacia it feeds on. Its presence can be seen by changes on the underside of the leaves.
Acacia: properties application
Acacia trees are considered ornamental trees. Thanks to them, they were brought to Europe. Planted in parks and alleys, they delight with their shape and white flowers. They belong to the honey trees from which bees produce acacia honey.Fried acacia inflorescences are used in culinary arts. They are an addition to pancakes and preserves.
Hard and durable acacia wood is used in carpentry. It can be used to produce silk and wool. Moreover, it has a high calorific value and is not susceptible to rotting.
Acacia, it is also a medicinal plant. The flowers contain essential oils, tannins, sugars, mineral s alts and organic acids. They are diuretic, choleretic and diastolic. The prepared acacia extracts help to remove poisons accumulated in the kidneys. Infusions are used in allergy sufferers. Acacia flower tincture has a unique taste and many positive properties. It is simple to do. It has a relaxing effect on the digestive system and stimulates digestion.
