How to Prune an Acacia Salicina

Desert climates, despite their brutal heat and dry conditions, boast a bevy of plant life. Long reaching cactus, tiny flowering shrubs and even tall, sweeping trees decorate many landscapes in areas of the southwest. One tree in particular, the Acacia salicina provides a graceful, sweeping line to the harsh desert floor. With a weeping habit, delicate green foliage and tiny pea sized flowers, this tree adds a refreshing touch to arid climates. While the Acacia salicina requires little in the way of maintenance, a thorough pruning not only protects it from wind damage, but also improves the overall health of the tree.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bright colored string
• Pruning shears
• Ladder

1. Create a pruning schedule. Pruning the Acacia willow is best done during dormancy in late winter. This allows the tree time to heal from the pruning, and creates room for new growth. Set a month during which you will inspect and prune the tree to keep it in top shape.

2. Prioritize areas for pruning. Using brightly colored string or yarn, mark branches that are dead, diseased or damaged. These pose the greatest risk for introducing harmful pests and diseases to your tree. Next, step back and make note of branches for removal to thin the canopy of the tree, and mark them as well. Acacia willows are prone to breakage by wind, due to the density of the canopy. Selections should be made aggressively, as this tree rebounds quickly from pruning.

3. Begin pruning the tree. Using your pruning shears, remove the selected branches closest to the bottom of the tree. As you work your way up the tree into the canopy, set up your ladder to access the higher branches. Cut as closely to the parent branch as possible, and cut flush to the parent branch. Work slowly and carefully, as to avoid injuring yourself with a fall or with the shears.

4. Double check your work. Once you have removed the marked branches, step away from the tree and look it over. If you feel additional branches need to be removed for thinning the canopy, remove those at will. This tree responds well to pruning.

5. Dispose of pruned debris. Check your local ordinances and dispose of the branches accordingly. Non-diseased branches may be chipped or composted. All other branches should be burned or disposed of.

References

• Tuscon Urban Forestry Tree Info
• Learn 2 Grow Acacia Salicina
• Horticulture Unlimited