Sally Wattle

By Geoff Holloway

Sally Wattle (Acacia Salicina) is found along creek and riverbanks, and flood plains in inland areas of Eastern and Southern Australia, and because it can be found over a wide area of Australia it has numerous common names (Sally Wattle, Cooba, Doolan, Native Willow, Willow Wattle, Black Wattle, Broughton Wattle).

The tree can grow to 20 metres and 1 metre diameter but commonly to 3-13 metres with a lifespan of 10-15 years, has willow like foliage and common in the greater Ipswich area.

The wood is fine-textured light to dark brown of medium to heavy density, readily available and used for furniture, crafts and firewood (it has a high calorific value). The bark was used by Aboriginals to poison fish, and the leaves are eaten by stock.