When you think of acacia trees, you probably picture those flat-top trees that grow in the African savannah. What many people don’t realize is that there are hundreds of acacia varieties, and they grow all over the world. In this article, we’ll discuss the many uses of acacia trees, and some of the benefits.
What You'll Learn Today
What Are Acacia Trees Good For?
Acacia trees are fast-growing and can be extremely useful for a wide range of products. Some of its most popular uses include:
Hardwood
Acacia wood is strong, durable, and water-resistant. This makes it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture, among other things.
Gum Arabic
Gum arabic typically comes from Acacia senegal, which is a tree that is native to the drier regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, and India. It’s made from the hardened sap that drains from the bark of acacia trees.
Gum arabic is commonly used as a food additive as well as in certain beauty products. When added to foods, it can be a good source of fiber, a natural thickener, and a stabilizer.
This substance has many other health benefits such as improving the absorption of calcium, decreasing the chances of diabetes, and improving immune function.
Fabric Dyes
Some varieties of acacia contain high amounts of tannin in their bark. Tannin is used to make plant-based fabric dyes.
Acacia dye can be used on its own to produce shades of beige and brown. It can also be used to modify colors on cotton to produce many different colors.
What is Acacia Timber Used For?
Acacia wood is sought after for use in many different industries. Its density and durability make it particularly well-suited for the following purposes:
Furniture
Acacia wood is strong and water-resistant, making it a versatile option for many types of furniture. You may see acacia wood used for things like patio furniture, coffee tables, cabinets, flooring, and dining room chairs.
Construction
Acacia wood is strong, dense, and long-lasting. As a result, it is often used for support beams in building construction.
Acacia thorns are also useful as an alternative to barbed wire fencing. Farmers in Zimbabwe, for example, use acacia thorns as a cheap, natural barrier to protect their crops.
Decorative pieces
The beautifully toned colors of acacia wood make it a popular choice for decorative pieces such as bowls, cutting boards, and coasters.
Musical instruments
Acacia koa, which is found in Hawaii, is used for making instruments such as guitars and ukeleles. Koa is considered a tonewood, meaning that it has tonal qualities that make it a good choice for constructing musical instruments.
Medicinal purposes
Acacia has a long history of being used for its medicinal qualities. Today, it is used to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve oral health, and soothe sore throats.
Acacia is also a good source of dietary fiber. Many people believe that acacia helps you feel full, thus making it a helpful aid for weight loss and cholesterol control. Studies have shown that it helps to reduce BMI and body fat percentage.
Is the Acacia Tree Poisonous?
Wood from acacia trees does not pose any health risks to animals or pets, so it is safe to use in the home. The sap of Acacia senegal trees is also non-toxic when used as an ingredient in food, medicine, or cosmetic products.
In nature, however, some varieties of acacia trees have developed an interesting defense mechanism to protect their leaves. In the savannah, for instance, many creatures from giraffes to rodents and insects like to munch on acacia leaves.
To deter these plant-eaters, acacia leaves release a toxic chemical called tannin once it has been bitten. Acacias can even sense when other trees in the area are releasing the chemical, which triggers them to alert their neighbors.
Disadvantages of Acacia Wood
While acacia wood is beautiful and versatile, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before you use or purchase it. These include:
Cost
The price of acacia wood can vary depending on the variety. But overall, it’s considered an exotic wood, so expect to pay more than you would for American hardwoods.
Weight
Acacia wood is great for furniture and other projects that require dense, sturdy wood. But if you’re looking for lightweight material, this is probably not the best choice.
Acacia wood is dense and heavy, so it should be avoided if you want furniture that’s easy to move.
Maintenance
If you’re looking for material that you can place somewhere and then forget about it, you may want to reconsider. While the structural integrity of the wood will last for a long time, the finish may start to fade over time.
Depending on the variety used, however, this could be easily fixed by regular applications of an oil-based finish.
The value of the acacia tree and all it has to offer is a good reminder of the importance of environmental conservation.
Acacias provide wood, medicine, food, and even shelter in the wild. To learn more about some of the medicinal properties of the acacia tree, check out this YouTube video:
Can we eat acacia trees? I guess no, but am not so sure about it