Umbrella False Acacia, Top worked False Acacia, Mop headed False Acacia, Mop headed Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia Umbraculifera is a top-worked, mop-headed form of False Acacia which forms a round and compact shape at maturity.

This cultivar has been available since the early 1800s and is much more popular in French and German gardens, where the climate facilitates better performance than in the UK.

Like the parent, Robinia pseudoacacia or Black Locust, this cultivar has bright green, compound leaves comprising of 7-9 leaflets which give this little tree a dense crown that maintains a light and airy feel to it. 

Unlike the parent, this selection very rarely flowers, however, it does exhibit the rough and corky bark of Black Locust, as it is this which is used for the lower graft. Robinia pseudoacacia Umbraculifera is best planted for its uniform, architectural shape that requires very little maintenance. 

At maturity, this pretty tree maintains a tight and formal crown, simply growing larger in diameter over the years as the tree develops. 

At Barcham we supply this tree with a clear trunk of 1.8-2m high, with the graft performed at this level. 

This allows the living space underneath the tree to be fully utilised. 

The mop-headed False Acacia will tolerate most soil conditions, providing they are well drained and well suited to tolerating urban environments and thus being planted in paved areas.

 It is best avoided for very exposed sites where it would be prone to crown damage as the wood can be brittle as the tree matures.

The largest tree we have come across at Barcham is around 6m in diameter, making Robinia pseudoacacia Umbraculifera a good choice for small gardens, where space is limited.

 It is also a great choice to compliment formal planting schemes and will form neat avenues for manicured parkland and walled gardens.

Mature Height: 3-7m

Common names

Umbrella False Acacia, Top worked False Acacia, Mop headed False Acacia, Mop headed Black Locust

Height of tree

3-7m

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Rounded

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Good for bees, Bark interest, Urban

Looks good in

Summer

Location

Garden, Parkland

Genus

Robinia