Acacia Mearnsii - Black Wattle - Evergreen Trees Direct

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

$120.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 2m – 2.5m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is expected to grow 80cm to 120cm per year (very fast) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Acacia mearnsii is one of the fastest-growing trees available in Australia, adding up to 1.2 metres a year to establish shelter, screening or canopy cover in a fraction of the time any other species would take. Fine feathery dark green foliage carries masses of fragrant golden flowers through spring and summer.

Black Wattle grows to 6 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, forming a dense spreading canopy. It is a classic pioneer species, used to stabilise disturbed ground, provide quick shelter for slower long-term plantings, and fix nitrogen into depleted soils on rural and revegetation sites.

This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor soils and extended dry once established. Like most fast wattles it is short-lived at 15 to 25 years, which suits its role as a nurse crop rather than a permanent tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Acacia mearnsii

How fast does Acacia mearnsii grow?

Very fast, at 80 centimetres to 1.2 metres per year. It is among the quickest trees available in Australia for establishing shelter or canopy cover.

How big does Black Wattle grow?

Acacia mearnsii reaches 6 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, forming a dense spreading canopy suited to windbreaks and shelterbelts.

How long does Acacia mearnsii live?

It is short-lived at 15 to 25 years, which is typical of fast pioneer wattles. Plant it as a nurse crop to shelter slower long-term species rather than as a permanent tree.

When does Black Wattle flower?

Masses of fragrant pale golden ball flowers appear through spring and into summer, attracting bees, native pollinators and insect-feeding birds.

Does Acacia mearnsii improve soil?

Yes. Like other wattles it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, which improves depleted and disturbed soils. This makes it valuable in revegetation and mine-site rehabilitation.

Is Black Wattle frost hardy?

Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, performing well in cold inland and tablelands districts.

How far apart should I plant Acacia mearnsii for a windbreak?

Plant 2 to 3 metres apart for a dense shelterbelt, or 4 to 6 metres apart where individual canopies should develop fully.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Windbreak
Rural Property Planting
Revegetation or Regeneration

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle Evergreen or Deciduous?

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is expected to grow 80cm to 120cm per year (very fast) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is expected to grow 80cm to 120cm per year (very fast) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Is Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle frost tolerant?

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle Flower?

Acacia mearnsii produces abundant pale-yellow globular flowers through late winter and spring. The blooms form in dense clusters along the fine, ferny foliage, creating a soft yet impressive seasonal display that brightens the cooler months.

Does Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is Native to South-eastern Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia, where it grows naturally in open forests, woodlands, and along watercourses.

What is the Wildlife Value of Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle ?

Its dense, spreading canopy offers valuable shelter for small birds, while its pollen-rich flowers attract native bees, beetles and beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy, biodiverse garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle need?

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Acacia mearnsii performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter to boost aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and becomes more drought resilient.

Is Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle Drought Tolerant?

Is Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Acacia mearnsii develops good drought tolerance. It remains resilient through dry periods and performs reliably in low-maintenance landscapes with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle is expected to grow 80cm to 120cm per year (very fast) (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Acacia mearnsii - Black Wattle in Different Soil

Acacia Mearnsii performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.