It survives sites where temperatures regularly reach 500C at mid-day and fall to near freezing at night. A. tortilis nodulates frequently over its natural range. Considerable variation in modulation levels has been found under controlled environmental conditions. Fast-growing Rhizobium strains have been isolated at Dundee University. In semi-arid areas, Acacia tortilis provides a staple browse especially for camels and goats.
Forage is available throughout most of the dry season when other sources are scarce.
Pods are also fed to lactating animals to increase milk yields. The pods require milling to increase digestion in cattle. In India it has been grown successfully in sheiterbelts with Azadirachta indica. It burns slowly and produces little smoke when dry. Poles are commonly used in hut construction and for tools.