Nature amazes us with surprising specimens and one of these specimens, which you will surely like to know, is the african tree Acacia abyssinica. Its shape is curious, with a thin and slender trunk, not too tall depending on the case, because its height is usually around 6 to 20 meters, and above all, its flattened crown, which is the most peculiar. Do you want to know everything about this beautiful tree? In this article we explain what it is like, what care it needs and everything you need to know about it. If you are a person passionate about nature and love discovering the wonders of the world, keep reading!
The strange structure of the African tree
El African tree or Acacia abyssinica It has its origin mainly in African territory, hence its name. It is common to find specimens of this species in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Zaire or Malawi. We can also see it in areas of Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. It is through these territories where the Acacia abyssinica is present Commonly.
By the way, the person who first described the specimen was the English botanist, pteridologist and mycologist George Bentham, an inveterate lover of flora, who referred to the species in 1846 with an article in the London Journal of Botany.
What is the Acacia abyssinica or African tree like?
Can grow up to 6 or at most 20 meters high, so we can find both smaller and larger species. In any case, what impresses is not its size, but its shape. It usually has more than one stem, although this is not always the case.
La crown has a flattened shape and it is very characteristic of this peculiar tree of the Fabaceae family. This crown can extend around the 30 meters in diameter covering a wide space, as if it were a large mushroom, an umbrella or a huge natural parasol. This is not so strange if we take into account that it was born in Africa, where the sun beats down relentlessly and shade is highly appreciated. And Mother Nature leaves nothing to chance.
Also notable is its dark bark and rough texture with visible branchlets that are longitudinally striated.
Where the Acacia abyssinica tree is present
If you are a daring person and you like to travel and explore looking to enjoy nature in its purest form, you can find the african tree through forests, mountain forests, wooded meadows, especially on the margins. And on the hills or in the areas along the banks of streams and rivers.
What care does the African tree need?
Since this shrub belongs to the genus acacia trees, the care you need is similar. They say that they are ideal to have in a garden or in areas that you want to have covered, ornamented and oxygenated without having to invest in great care. Because we are facing a resistant, strong species that withstands extreme temperatures well. In addition, it needs little irrigation.
Obviously, what you will need to take into account is how much will the acacia growfor that locate the african tree in sufficient space so that it can develop freely. If your garden is small, it may not be the most appropriate species. Don't worry, because you can find other great trees to plant.
We have said that it tolerates the climate well, both sunny and cold in winter and, in fact, it needs both to grow healthily. With temperatures between 5 and 25 degrees you will be in the ideal environment.
What substrate does the Acacia abyssinica shrub need?
It is not a tree that requires demanding conditions to survive or grow since, in fact, it does so in desert areas. Now, if you add a sandy substrate You will appreciate it, above all, because it will accumulate the moisture it needs to stay in good condition. In any case, it is not essential to invest in this type of substrate and that will not be an impediment for it to come out when you plant it or grow if you plant it.
How much watering do you need
Regarding irrigation, we have already said that the African tree is typical of African areas where high or extremely low temperatures can occur. However, we find it in areas close to rivers and where there is enough humidity for its roots to find water to provide them with food.
Hence we have recommended a sandy substrate to accumulate moisture from irrigation, which should not be abundant, but enough to keep the area moist. Good drainage is essential.
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It will be good if you provide him with a fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. This will be enough.
What pests and diseases can Acacia abyssinica suffer from?
Acacias are prone to plagues by mites, aphids and other insects. They are also prone to viral and bacterial diseases. Acting in time will be essential for effective healing.
They can also suffer from rot, both in the heart of the trunk and in the roots. To avoid this, make sure it has good drainage to avoid excess moisture. It should have water but without exaggerating.
On the other hand, many times the specimens suffer from rust and this affects their reproduction. Careful with this!
How is the multiplication of Acacia abyssinica
Acacias can be multiplied by seeds or by planting their cuttings. If you plan to reproduce these specimens, keep in mind what we told you at the beginning regarding its care: you will need enough space for its growth and it can become quite voluminous, especially its crown. On the other hand, take care of the water you give it and ensure that it has soil with good drainage, preferably sandy.
This is all we can tell you about African tree Acacia abyssinica, the curious tree with the shape of a flattened crown that grows in areas of Africa and that attracts the attention of whoever sees it. Did you like the copy? Have you seen anything similar? Tell us about your experience with specimens of curious trees that you have seen during your travels if you are a traveling reader. The flora is as varied as it is surprisingly magical. And we love discovering it.