| Botanic name | Acacia implexa |
| Other names | Hickory wattle, lightwood |
| Main Origin | Eastern & southeastern Australia |
| Mature size | 4 – 7 m x 5 – 11 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Upright with narrow or broad open canopy |
| Foliage | Long, narrow & sickle-shaped, light-green |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Position | Full sun or light shade |
| Soil | Adaptable to various soils |
| Water | Minimal, occasional deep watering |
| Climate | Semi-arid, Mediterranean, cool & warm temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Profuse creamy to yellow, spherical, late-spring to autumn |
| Use | Feature tree, row planting, tall screening |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites, cold-tolerant |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Acacia implexa, commonly known as Hickory Wattle or Lightwood, is a versatile and resilient tree that has steadily earned its place in modern landscapes.
Thriving in challenging conditions, its understated tree form, moderate size, and low-maintenance nature are highly valued in contemporary gardens.
As a widespread species, Acacia implexa is indispensable in our natural ecosystems. This species contributes significantly to biodiversity in environmental restoration efforts. It is our valuable asset, capturing the hardy resilience and refined elegance of Australia’s native flora.
Origin and distribution
Acacia implexa is endemic in eastern Australia, from central Queensland to southern Victoria. It flourishes in various habitats, from open forests and dry scrublands to rainforest edges, where it thrives on shallow, sandy, rocky, or clay soils.
With its broad distribution, this species can adapt to variable climates. It is found in semi-arid regions with sparse rainfall and temperate or subtropical areas with abundant rain. It exists in the cold hill country, as well as the hot dry Mediterranean climate zone.
Such broad distribution reflects its ability to adapt to challenging conditions and underscores its ecological importance, making it a crucial component of Australia’s natural environment.
Growing conditions
Acacia implexa thrives in full sun or light shade. It adapts to a range of soils, including those that are heavier and nutrient-deficient. The soils must be able to drain freely and have a slightly acidic or neutral pH. It can handle both drier and wetter sites.
Acacia implexa generally does not need fertiliser as it is a nitrogen-fixing species. Too much nitrogen can interfere with its natural nitrogen-fixing process. If the soil is relatively poor, using a low-nitrogen fertiliser and aged compost may help enrich the soil.
Young plants require regular watering in the first year. Once established, the plant is highly drought-tolerant. Acacia implexa can tolerate a temperature as low as -7°C and is frost-hardy.
Its natural hardiness allows this plant to grow in tough environments where other native species might struggle. With a resilient nature, Acacia implexa is prone to sucker when the roots are disturbed.
Features
Acacia implexa is a small to medium-sized tree. It can grow to 10 m but is often smaller in small garden settings.
While Acacia implexa is an upright tree, it can develop a canopy that is distinct in shape or form. In optimal conditions, it often forms a dense canopy that appears rounded, bushy, or slightly pyramidal and provides ample shade. Alternatively, it can also adopt a less dense, loose canopy that can be narrow or broad, offering a calming ambiance.
Its foliage is attractive, light green, slender, and sickle-shaped, with prominent veins. The beautifully curved foliage not only appears graceful, but as a whole, it creates a unique, captivating impression of light and shadow under the sun.
Acacia implexa develops a greyish-brown, rough trunk. The dark, weathered hues of the bark create a striking contrast with the tree’s delicate light green foliage, adding to its overall aesthetic charm in the landscape.
Its flowers are profuse, small, spherical, creamy to pale yellow, and often scented. They emerge from mid-spring to summer, but the blooming can be irregular in warmer months and can be influenced by rainfall.
Green seedpods form following the blossom. They then become dry, brown, coiled, and split to release long-lived seeds.
Acacia implexa is considered a pioneer plant with the following traits:
- Prolific seeder
- Fast growth
- Ability to regrow from roots
It is one of the few plants to swiftly emerge and establish itself after land disturbance, such as fire.
Landscape uses
Acacia implexa offers tremendous value in practical landscaping applications, with an attractive, graceful form, moderate size, fast growth, drought and frost hardiness, and exceptional adaptability to different environmental conditions.
While often understated, it is among the best native trees in land restoration or revegetation projects, being able to establish itself quickly once planted.
- Shade and shelter: It is a fast-growing tree ideal for private gardens, carparks, playgrounds, and parklands.
- Streetscape: Apart from its suitable height, it does not cause damage to the footpath and is highly tolerant of pollution.
- Erosion control: Acacia implexa can be planted on rocky hills and coastal foot slopes.
- Tall screening: It can quickly establish privacy with great visual impact in row planting.
- Habitat: It grows in various climates and soils, ideal for attracting wildlife.
- Windbreaks: Its robust nature is suitable for buffering damaging winds.
With a lifespan of 30 – 50 years, this tree offers long-lasting visual appeal and ecological benefits.
