Acacia seed pods in a cold, wet spring/summer in Zone 7b

[Low Altitude]

Hi All –

I was walking down a sidewalk here in New York City today and found plenty of seed pods fallen from overhead acacia trees:

Now, what do we think: are these premature and immature relative to 'standard behavior', when the pods ripen on the tree until much later in the season, looking like this, much bigger and dryer – and therefore, is it safe to assume the seeds aren't viable and I'd be wasting my time trying to grow them?

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, I would say those in your photo are "premature and immature" relative to the mature acacia seeds I've seen and that are shown in your link. The photo seeds can't hardly be seen unlike mature ones which are easy to see even on the tree.

Of course, nothing ventured, nothing gained, but my bet is those seeds are not viable at this time.

 

[oneeye]

Those look inmature. The only way to know is to take a knife and cut some seed out and look at the seed. If the seed is mature, it will have a healthy embryo.

 

[Low Altitude]

Yes, I would say those in your photo are "premature and immature" relative to the mature acacia seeds I've seen and that are shown in your link. The photo seeds can't hardly be seen unlike mature ones which are easy to see even on the tree.

Of course, nothing ventured, nothing gained, but my bet is those seeds are not viable at this time.

Meadowlark, thanks. Appreciate the learned confirmation.

It's interesting – I have walked past that spot pretty frequently, for years, and it is the first time I've noticed those immature seed pods – so light that they were in fact sitting on the leaves of some hyacinths below. Have to wonder whether the 'early shedding' of the pods is yet another reflection of the extraordinary weather we've had in 2025, beyond the 'global warming' shifts we've seen for years. As someone I know here says, who spends a lot of time outdoors and is attuned to weather, 'It's unnatural'.

The acacia is remarkably adaptable, but it didn't 'grow up' in Hardiness Zone 7b. Its genetic home is arid plains closer to the equator. One guess might be that these trees here have simply been waterlogged by a wet, cool spring, and so far summer, and it's messing with their metabolisms. Whaddo I know...?

 

[Low Altitude]

Those look inmature. The only way to know is to take a knife and cut some seed out and look at the seed. If the seed is mature, it will have a healthy embryo.

Thanks Oneeye. I think you've answered my question – looking through those translucent pods, the 'seeds' are white spots barely a millimeter across. Forget 'em, I think.

Per my comment to Meadowlark above, it'll be interesting to look in late Aug / Sept and see whether the trees are casting more mature, developed (drier) pods and seeds per normal, or if there's been a depletion because of this early-season craziness. Thanks again.

 

[Meadowlark]

... One guess might be that these trees here have simply been waterlogged by a wet, cool spring, and so far summer, and it's messing with their metabolisms. Whaddo I know...?

Excellent theory

An apt description I ran across...

"The acacia tree is like nature’s sentinel, standing tall and proud in the vast landscapes it inhabits. This tree is known for its striking appearance, with its thin, often twisted trunk and branches reaching high into the sky. Its unique canopy, resembling a giant green umbrella, provides shade to countless creatures that seek refuge from the scorching sun."