Australian Native Trees Identification Guide

Among the best trees to grow in your yard are Australian trees. By purchasing them from nearby nurseries, you can not only help your neighborhood but they are also ideal for our climate in Australia. And your tree will do more than just stand out! Additionally, it will provide food, shade, and a refuge for any nearby creatures.

Australia is home to a wide variety of native trees, including fruit- and flower-bearing varieties. Plants can develop quickly or slowly; the choice is yours. You have a wide selection of trees to plant, including the renowned wattle, lemon-scented myrtle, and gum trees. The best part is that many of them require little upkeep after they are planted, so you can simply sit back and watch them develop.

Australian Native Trees Identification Guide

Do you want to plant a native tree in your yard? The best Australian trees to plant near your house are listed here.

• Fast-Growing Australian Native Trees
• Australian Native Flowering Trees
• Australian Native Fruit Trees
• Australian Native Screen Trees
• Australian Native Shade Trees
• Australian Native Pine Trees

Fast-Growing Australian Native Trees

• Gum Tree (Eucalyptus mannifera)
• Grevillea Tree (Grevillea robusta A)
• Black She Oak (Allocasuarina)

1. Gum Tree (Eucalyptus mannifera)

Choose a dwarf kind of gum tree if you’re planting one in your garden. Take the 30 m tall lemon-scented gum as an example. Fortunately, there is a tiny lemon-scented gum (known as “Scentuous”) that only grows 7 meters tall. It blooms in the summer with white flowers and pink stems.

The ‘Summer Red’ gum tree, which has gorgeous red blossoms and only grows to a height of 6m, is another option.

Gum trees prefer soil that drains well and full sun. Although they cannot resist frost as young plants, they thrive best in moderate areas. Keep them away from buildings and underground pipes as they have powerful root systems as well!

2. Grevillea Tree (Grevillea robusta A)

Grown as tiny trees are the taller grevillea kinds as Moonlight and Honey Gem! Simply choose plants that have a single stem, and trim any low-growing branches. They grow quickly and will only be 3 to 8 meters tall.

Grevillea trees need soil that drains well and is in full sun. To prevent the ground from getting too wet and leading to root rot, consider using a raised garden bed. Regularly prune it, especially in the summer, to allow it to develop and bloom again. Although you might eliminate blossoms that are essential for birds and insects, avoid trimming in the autumn.

3. Black She Oak (Allocasuarina)

The She Oak can grow as tall as 15 meters, thus it is not a tree for a little garden. It can withstand most temperatures and blooms in the spring with red flowers. The nitrogen-fixing allocasuarina tree replenishes the soil’s nutrients.

When planting a She Oak, stay away from sandy soils because they could attract pests. Although mature trees may tolerate drought, seedlings require constant irrigation while they are germination. Regular pruning will improve the health of the tree.

Australian Native Flowering Trees

• Wattle Tree (Acacia)
• Banksia Tree (Banksia spp.)

1. Wattle Tree (Acacia)

One of the most recognizable trees you may cultivate in your garden is the wattle tree. This acacia signals the arrival of spring. Particularly the golden wattle, which can be found along parks and highways all around Australia, serves as the nation’s floral emblem.

Wattle trees grow quickly but only live for 7 to 12 years. Place them in a sunny area with well-draining soil (although they can withstand slight shade). Tropical areas are ideal for them, and once established, they require very little upkeep.

2. Banksia Tree (Banksia spp.)

With its spiked flowers and serrated foliage, banksia is a beautiful plant. From greenish-white to yellow to red-orange, its blooms are diverse. Both Coast Banksia and Silver Banksia, which grow to be about 12 meters tall, are commonly grown banksia.

Dwarf banksia trees are excellent for a poolside garden or as ground cover, while larger banksia trees should be planted at least 4m away from buildings. Your banksias should be grown in full sun in sandy, somewhat acidic soil. In warm or moderate areas, they’ll thrive.

Australian Native Fruit Trees

Illawarra Plum Tree (podocarpus elatus)

The berry-producing You can truly grow the slow-growing Illawarra tree in a pot. But it can grow to a height of 8 to 12 meters when grown outside. Don’t mix up the male and female plants; if you want the plums, you must plant at least one male and one female plant.

Both full sun and some shade are suitable for the Illawarra plum. Although it will tolerate other soils as long as they have enough drainage, plant it in non-alkaline land. Additionally, it can withstand salt, making it the ideal tree for coastal areas.

This Lilly Pilly type bears fruit, and you can harvest the berries in the fall. They have an apple-like texture and a sweet, somewhat acidic flavor. The fluffy white flower clusters that appear in late spring to early summer come first, though.

The Tucker Bush cherry is a rainforest-type tree that does best in rich soils, however, it can grow in most other types of ground. Place it in a location with lots of sunlight and observe how the plant matures as its bronze oval leaves turn deep green. It looks bushier and more aesthetically pleasing after routine pruning. This species is also psyllid-resistant.

Australian Native Screen Trees

• Native Frangipani Tree (Hymenosporum flavum)
• Lilly Pilly tree (Syzygium smithii)

1. Native Frangipani Tree (Hymenosporum flavum)

Yellow blossoms on this rainforest tree have a strong smell. But it has nothing to do with the exotic frangipani. Check with your neighborhood nursery first since it can be challenging to find these. Get the smaller versions; the giant tree variant can grow to be 20 meters tall!

Your frangipani tree has to be protected from any severe winds because its branches are susceptible to breaking. Go for more alkaline earth when planting, and keep it somewhere with full sun.

2. Lilly Pilly tree (Syzygium smithii)

Despite the Lilly Pilly’s many variants, its dwarf forms make excellent hedges. Their leaves are thick and dense, serving both a screen and an attractive accent. They produce beautiful white blossoms that develop into berries during the blooming season.

The use of the Weeping Lilly Pilly as a screen tree is a wise choice. It is more resilient than other types and can withstand both drought and sporadic overwatering. Simply watch out for psyllids, which can prey on weak or stressed plants.

Australian Native Shade Trees

• Lemon-Scented Myrtle Tree (Backhousia citriodora)
• Blueberry Ash Tree (Elaeocarpus reticulatus Sm)
• Willow Myrtle Tree (Agonis flexuosa)

1. Lemon-Scented Myrtle Tree (Backhousia citriodora)

This rainforest tree, which has a lovely aroma, would look stunning in any garden in Australia. In the summer, they are covered in white flowers that draw lots of butterflies. The leaves release an energizing lemon scent after it rains or when they are crushed.

Although the lemon-scented myrtle tree prefers warm weather, you might choose to grow it in the shade if your region is hot and dry. To strengthen the base, cover it with a layer of mulch or compost. Select a single-trunk tree for shade, and frequently prune the lowest branches to keep the tree’s shape.

2. Blueberry Ash Tree (Elaeocarpus reticulatus Sm)

This evergreen tree was originally found in rainforests. It bears blooms in the spring and summer, which turn into blueberries in the fall. Be prepared for guests, though, since birds will turn your tree into a lunchtime banquet.

When fully grown, the blueberry ash tree is typically 3–4 m broad and 8–15 m tall, depending on the growing environment. Although it prefers moist, well-draining soil, it may still grow in sandy and coastal environments. Simply avoid planting it in a chilly location because it struggles with frost.

3. Willow Myrtle Tree (Agonis flexuosa)

The Willow Myrtle, also known as Agonis flexuosa, is a superb shade tree with a spreading canopy that can reach a height of 8 meters. From spring to summer, it produces white flowers with five petals. Although it doesn’t grow very quickly, it makes a wonderful accent in any garden.

The willow myrtle can survive in dry and coastal environments and prefers damp, well-drained soil. Cuttings are more difficult to grow from than seeds. To keep it in good shape, prune it once or twice a year. 

Australian Native Pine Trees

Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia)

An evergreen tree called the casuarina tree, sometimes known as the Australian pine, can be found in tropical areas near the ocean. Its signature appearance was created by drooping branches and feathery needles. Cultivars have a maximum height of 6 meters.

When planting this tree in your garden, keep it in full sunlight and utilize sandy or coarse-grained soils. This tree has a special resilience to saltwater environments, thus it will do well in coastal settings.

Conclusion

The majority of trees are moderately drought tolerant and prefer a dry period between waterings to an excessively wet environment. Water your tree frequently while it is growing, but after it is established, it may tolerate some dryness.

Since native plants may survive in soil with little nutrient content, fertilizer is typically not required. However, a boost throughout the growing season will be helpful for flowering and fruiting plants. Except for banksias, there is no need to use low-phosphorus fertilizer. These plants belong to the Proteaceae family, making them sensitive to the phosphorus content of the soil.

For advice on how to take care of your plants and keep your garden in its best shape, speak with a professional garden maintenance provider. This is particularly crucial for pruning, which promotes healthy new growth.

It is up to you which trees you would like to plant in your yard since there are many native Australian trees available. After that, all that’s left to do is watch it grow while stepping back to take in the lush surroundings.

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