Holy mother of God. Why, may I ask you, would you want to plant something with thorns that could impale an elephant near what must be a walkway (if it's near the street)? Is this for security?!? WOW. I think this is an interesting specimen tree, but maybe for an area that is viewed from afar! If you do root a cutting, try getting green wood and try using rooting hormone on the cut end. Then plant in a nice planting medium and keep moist. Once well rooted, you should be able to plant in the ground. Can't say I've ever seen these for sale, even at some of my cooler specialty nurseries.

Patty S.

LOL we don't plan to impale anyone, the street side area is plenty wide for dogwalkers to admire it as they walk past, unimpaled. But I suppose if it keeps people off our fence all the better. Actually haven't thought through yet which side of the fence we'd put it on. DH has had his mind on this tree for almost a decade and the property we now have has plenty of space for one. Thanks for the tips on rooting.

I don't know if you ever found a source for your tree, but you aren't the only one captivated by the bizarre beauty and dangerous looking thorns of this tree. Annie, the owner of Annie's Annuals Nursery has grown this in the past, and may have a current crop available for sale. She does mail-order via her web site or by phone. You might also check to see whether the UC Irvine or UC Riverside Botanic Gardens may have this species available at their annual sales. If the local plant you know of has seed, you could always try growing some, most Acacia species are quite easy/fast from seed.

Thanks for the info!

I still chuckle over Patty's comment about impaling people. Perhaps this would be a good plant for the recent poster seeking a screen from her peeping tom neighbors.

sb

I noticed that the Worldwide Exotics Nursery lists this acacia, give them a call at their Lakeview Terrace location.