Native
This species is usually not recommended. White-thorn acacia is preferred and is very similar, but with fewer drawbacks. This tree was once a commonly planted ornamental in Tucson, but has fallen out of favor. It can be prone to a short life span, often sends out many fast growing suckers from its base and trunk, and portions of the tree will often die off. Many trees in Tucson are not aesthetically pleasing with dead sections, knobby trunks and branches, suckering, dark scabby branches. When healthy it can have copious and showy orange ball-shaped flowers, attracting many pollinators. Somewhat frost sensitive. It is native to Sonora and barely into southern Arizona.
