Growth Rate of Sprouts after Top Removal of Huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.) (Leguminosae) in South Texas

Huisache sprouts attained almost half their expected total plant height in five months after top removal in South Texas. Huisache sprouts from plants cut on three different dates in the same year showed the same general growth pattern with the inflection point on the growth curve occurring at about 60 days. Limited rainfall prior to top removal apparently affected the length of time required for sprouting after top removal. Biotic pressure significantly reduced the elongation rate of huisache sprouts to one-half that of undamaged sprouts during the initial four month growing period.