A large flat‑topped tree to 20 m when mature. It is drought tolerant and will grow on degraded land and along gullies. It makes good firewood but the hard wood is difficult to work. Other uses include poles, posts, tool handles, food (edible gum), medicine, fodder, bee forage, shade (for cattle), nitrogen fixation, soil conservation, fence (cut branches). Its growth rate is medium to fast and it coppices when young.