Umbrella thorn acacia
Vachellia tortilis
The flat-topped tree of savannas and desert wadis; fixes nitrogen, and its pods feed animals in the dry season.
Hardiness: zones 9 to 12
Light: full sun
Size: about 40 ft tall, 40 ft wide
From: Africa and Arabia
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: wildlife, fixing nitrogen in the soil, pollinators.
Native to: Sahara & Arabian deserts, African savannas & tropics. Hardy in zones 9 to 12.
The story
The umbrella thorn is the flat-topped tree in every photograph of the African savanna. It survives in the Sahara and the Negev, and is widely thought to be the shittim wood of the Bible.
Planting
Full sun and deep, drained soil in a frost-free, dry climate. Soak or nick the seed before sowing.
Growing
Water young trees until the taproot is down. After that it finds its own.
Harvest and use
Shade where there is none, nitrogen for the soil, flowers for bees, and protein-rich pods that carry goats, camels and antelope through the dry season.
What to watch for
Paired thorns, one straight and one hooked. It needs real heat.
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home