Trees and shmbs screened for desirable properties can play an important role in thernrehabilitation of degraded lands. Indigenous species adapted to harsh conditions ofrndegraded sites can reverse degradation processes by stabilizing soils, increasing organicrnmatter and improvements of nutrient status etc. Studies have shown that Acacia speciesrnhave a potential for use in agroforestry systems and rehabilitation of degraded lands. Forrnproper evaluation of the use of Acacia species in rehabilitation schemes and forrnagroforestry systems, studies in the root growth patterns and adaptability are essential.rnThe main objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the root growth patterns of somernAcacia species namely, A.seyaf Del., A.senegal (L.) Willd. and A.tortilis (Forrsk) Haynernand see the relevance of the results in adaptation to aridity. The study was conducted inrnAbernosa Ranch and Abiyata Shalla National Park. To investigate rooting patterns of thernselected Acacia species, young trees were carefully excavated exposing a representativernportion of the root system and quantitative data taken on depth at which the first lateralrnroot starts, radial spreading of lateral roots and the zone of most intense lateral roots.rnSaplings were completely uprooted and separated for shoot and root palis, and oven-driedrnfor the determination of shoot-root ratio. To see the effect of the Acacia trees on theirrnundergrowth, comparison of herbaceous root biomass was carried out with adjacent openrngrassland in Abernosa. There was some difference in root growth patterns betweenrnspecies, A.seyal characterized by few but very big lateral root in close proximity to thernsurface, A.senegal with very dense lateral roots near to the surface and A. tortilis with lessrnprominent lateral roots as compared to the others. The length of the taproots and shootrootrnratio of the saplings uprooted indicated that A.tortilis has greater depth penetration.rnThere was no significant difference within species between the two sites for depth of firstrnlateral root, zone of most intense lateral roots and for radius of lateral spread. Depthrnpenetration and ramification of lateral roots seem to be a function of soil and bedrockrnconditions. The herbaceous root biomass under A.seyal was significantly higher than thernadjacent open grassland indicating the influence in increasing productivity.