Although relatively short-lived, Bailey's acacia can be a positive change to your landscape.
General: A. baileyana, commonly known as Bailey's acacia or fern leaf acacia, is a round-headed tree with a wide canopy composed of pendulous branches. It does not tolerate blustery winds or sustained below-freezing temperatures. In its habitat, the plants grow under the canopies in eucalyptus forests, where they are protected from damaging overhead and lateral winds. Because they grow in temperate climates, they need adequate soil moisture to withstand extended periods of drought or heat. Most acacias are short-lived, about 15 to 20 years.
Size: The tree grows about 30 feet tall and spreads to 40 feet wide.
Flowers: Fragrant clusters of small canary-yellow flowers burst forth in early spring.
Cultivation: The best times to plant acacias are in fall or early spring, from 5- to 15-gallon containers. If you are planting in groups, space them 15 to 20 feet on center. They prefer a wind-protected, full-sun location in soils with a neutral pH of 7.0. Since the root systems of Bailey's acacias tend to be shallow and lateral, they benefit from the good percolation of loam soils, which encourage the development of deeper root systems.
-- Source: "California Gardener's Guide" by Bruce and Sharon Asakawa (Cool Springs Press, $24.99)
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