Pterolobium stellatum can be used for creating a barrier, commonly known in horticulture as screening. It is an ideal plant for big gardens. Indigenous people in rural areas grow this plant at the boundary of stands for fencing. It is commonly used around the cattle kraal for security reasons. It is often planted around the vegetable garden to protect the crops from domestic and wild animals.

This plant can easily be confused with Caesalpinia decapetala (the declared invasive alien Mauritius thorn). However, the exotic Caesalpinia decapetala has very different flowers and fruits. They are sometimes used simultaneously for the same purpose.