There is no denying that trees can be a beautiful addition to a garden. They may offer shade, seclusion, and the ability to block undesirable vistas, as well as serve as food sources and habitats for a wide range of different species.
Some trees grow more quickly than others, and those that do often reach a significant height in 5-7 years. Some of Australia’s trees with the quickest growth rates have gained notoriety.
They are native and rapidly increasing in addition to Growing native trees is one of the best things you can do because they typically require little upkeep and are simple to look after.
By bringing down the temperature in Australian cities, the presence of these trees in densely populated places mitigates the effects of the urban heat island effect. Planting these trees in expansive areas can also assist to cool the landscape, which is beneficial during Australia’s typically hot summers.
Every garden requires at least one tree, so if you’re in a rush, now is the time to plant an Australian native tree that grows quickly.
Table of Contents
20 Fast Growing Australian Native Trees
Here are the rapidly expanding trees that may be spotted throughout Australia’s cities, in no uncertain terms:
- Magnolia Tree (Magnolia Grandiflora)
- Tahitian Lime Tree (Citrus Latifolia)
- Pin oak Tree (Quercus palesteris)
- Red oak Tree (Quercus Rubra)
- Japanese Maple Tree (Acer Palmatum)
- Plane tree (Platanus orientalis)
- Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
- Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)
- Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina)
- Lemon-Scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
- Grevillea Tree
- Black She Oak (Allocasuarina)
- Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
- Native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum)
- Lilly Pilly (Syzygium / Acmena smithii)
- Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)
- Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia)
- Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa)
- Lemon-Scented Tea Tree (Leptospermum petersonii)
- Pincushion Hakea (Hakea laurina)
1. Magnolia Tree (Magnolia Grandiflora)
Magnolia commonly known as “Teddy Bear”, has glossy, deep-green leaves with a bronze underside and reaches a height of only four meters before becoming a compact, upright tree.
It thrives in various climates, even those along the shore, and produces enormous, fragrant white flowers during the warmer months. This tree is good for planting, but if it isn’t given regular water, it can start to lose its lushness.
2. Tahitian Lime Tree (Citrus Latifolia)
This tree has one of Australia’s quickest growth rates and does best in warm climates with well-drained soil. It reaches a height of around three meters and is highly recognized for its fragrant white blooms and lovely limes.
Mulching and watering are crucial for this plant to thrive, especially as the fruits are developing. This tree needs strong sunlight, a protected location, and a small amount of organic fertilizer once a month to develop to maturity.
3. Pin oak Tree (Quercus palesteris)
This enormous tree can reach heights of 30 meters and a spread of 15 meters, giving it a focal point in any landscape. These trees are clothed in lovely, bright, lustrous green foliage throughout the summer, which offers lovely, cooling shades.
This tree’s foliage becomes reddish brown in the fall and stays that color until the beginning of winter and the first few weeks of spring. When spring arrives, new buds immediately sprout. Shredded leaves from pin oak trees create great household compost, which is another surprising feature of these trees.
4. Red oak Tree (Quercus Rubra)
Another beautiful shade tree that may be seen in Australia is this one. It measures roughly 30 meters in height and 10 meters in breadth. Any garden, especially one with a broader landscape, could be planted with this rapidly growing deciduous tree.
Red oaks tend to create a dense canopy of glossy green leaves during the summer, which is ideal for providing shade. The leaves automatically change in the autumn from deep crimson to deep burgundy, creating a spectacular display.
The naked branches in the wintertime allow sunshine to enter the canopy, giving us humans the much-needed sun.
5. Japanese Maple Tree (Acer Palmatum)
There are many varieties of this quickly expanding tree, and its delicate leaves and brilliant autumn color make them the perfect choice for gardens in hotter climates. The ‘Artropupereum’, which grows to a height of about 4 meters and has summer foliage with hints of bronze-purple, is one of these plants to consider.
Acer Sango Kaku and coral bark maple are two more varieties of maple that reach heights of around 5 meters and are noted for their upswept branches and brilliant bark in the winter.
6. Plane tree (Platanus orientalis)
Plane trees are frequently regarded as superior all-season trees. One of the most popular trees to grow in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, is this one. With a vast canopy to walk beneath and enjoy the shade in the summer and spring, it can reach heights of around 15 meters and a width of 10 meters.
The ability of this tree to absorb harmful CO2 from the air and expel it via its bark, which gives the plane tree its distinctive mottled bark, is one of the reasons it is so well-liked in metropolitan areas.
The leaf of this tree is bright and maple-like, appearing lime green in the summer and changing to buttery golden in the fall.
7. Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
Gum trees typically come to mind when people think of quickly growing native Australian trees, yet many types of gum are much too large for a residential garden. The good news is that plant breeders have created dwarf types that have all the advantages of a huge gum tree, such as quick growth and shade, without growing to be forest giants.
The lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora), one of the most elegant gums, develops into a very large tree that can reach heights of 30 m or more. The leaf of this tree is bright and maple-like, appearing lime green in the summer and changing to buttery golden in the fall.
8. Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)
Gum trees typically come to mind when people think of quickly growing native Australian trees, yet many types of gum are much too large for a residential garden. The good news is that plant breeders have created dwarf types that have all the advantages of a huge gum tree, such as quick growth and shade, without growing to be forest giants.
The lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora), one of the most elegant gums, develops into a very large tree that can reach heights of 30 m or more. They can potentially grow to a height of 10 to 15 meters when planted densely, with a maximum width of 3 meters.
9. Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina)
The thick tree known as the water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) has bright green leaves and clusters of tiny yellow flowers throughout the summer. It benefits from routine watering after planting because it thrives in naturally moist locations next to streams. Its height ranges from 5 to 15 meters, depending on the growth environment.
10. Lemon-Scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
The lemon-scented myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) provides shade and cover where there is enough room for a spreading tree in addition to its fragrant, lemon-scented leaves. In gardens, it can reach heights of 8 m and widths of 4 m, and in the summer, it is covered in clusters of white flowers.
As a subtropical rainforest tree from Queensland’s east coast, it benefits from regular watering until it is established and needs a little frost protection when young.
11. Grevillea Tree
You can grow the taller grevillea species, such as Moonlight and Honey Gem, as miniature trees! Simply choose varieties with a single stem, and trim any branches with low growth rates. They grow quickly and only grow to a height of 3 to 8 meters.
Grevillea trees need free-draining soil and full sun to grow. Consider using a raised garden bed to prevent the ground from getting too wet and leading to root rot. To enable it to grow and bloom again, prune it frequently, especially in the summer. However, avoid cutting in the fall since you can get rid of blossoms that are vital for wildlife like birds and insects.
12. 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 your health.
13. Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
This wattle grows quickly and has gorgeous grey foliage as well as vivid yellow winter blooms. When you see this wattle in full bloom, you can always tell that spring is close by because it becomes entirely covered with blossoms.
Around 6 to 8 meters is the maximum height of the Cootamundra wattle. It thrives in both full sun and mild shade and can tolerate most soil types. It can even withstand brief frosts. The best thing is that bees and seed-eating birds are especially drawn to this native floral tree.
14. Native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum)
Without a doubt, every garden would benefit from the intoxicating scent of frangipani, and our native frangipani is no different. It has substantial green leaves and gorgeous springtime white and yellow flowers.
The native frangipani tree is a little tree that can reach a height of up to 7 meters. It will thrive in either direct sunlight or moderate shade. If you put it in well-drained soil and mulch thickly after planting, this fast-growing tree will take root rapidly in your yard.
This rainforest tree needs protection from frost in southern gardens until it reaches a height of around 2 meters. It doesn’t need much upkeep, and extensive pruning should be avoided because it would ruin the pyramidal shape.
15. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium / Acmena smithii)
Popular Australian natives called Lilly Pillys to thrive in a range of climates and soil types. They are excellent screening plants and are frequently cultivated as hedges.
Australian and Southeast Asian natural Lilly Pilly species come in over 60 different types. Several unique cultivars and hybrids have gained popularity across the nation.
These quickly expanding natives do better in more moderate climates. They can, however, be successfully cultivated in southern regions as well if you shelter them from frosts while they’re still young.
Lilly pillies provide edible fruits that are well-liked for producing jams in addition to having stunning fresh red growth on their foliage. Of course, birds enjoy these fruits as well.
Lilly pillies have the potential to develop into big trees that are about 6 meters tall. They are content to be cut back and pruned to a more appropriate height, though.
16. Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)
When in full bloom, the Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is a magnificently huge tree to behold. In the spring and summer, the tree will be covered in profusions of red bell-shaped flowers. Although it can reach a height of about 20 meters, it typically grows considerably smaller in gardens.
17. Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia)
If you choose to plant one in your garden, you’ll be charmed by the big orange flower heads. This banksia can reach a height of around 7 meters and has a dense growth habit.
Additionally, this tree grows quickly and draws a variety of local bird species. The Heath Banksia enjoys a sunny location but will tolerate some light shade and will thrive in most soil types. Additionally, it can easily withstand light frosts. When the stunning blossoms bloom, you’ll notice that bees and butterflies will throng to this tree.
18. Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa)
As long as it receives some extra water throughout the summer, the Hickory Wattle will grow practically everywhere in the nation, even in the desert. It blooms in the summer with lovely cream pom-pom flowers and magnificent dark green leaves.
Once established, this wattle is also tolerant of drought and frost. Mulching is an excellent idea to surround the tree’s base to safeguard the roots because suckering can occur if the roots are injured. This tree will grow quickly and eventually reach a height of 8 to 10 meters.
19. Lemon-Scented Tea Tree (Leptospermum petersonii)
The resilient, quickly-growing evergreen lemon-scented tea tree can reach a height of around five meters. Small native tree with spring and summer blooms of tiny white flowers and bright green foliage. The tree gets its name from its lemon-scented leaves.
20. Pincushion Hakea (Hakea laurina)
This tree is quite little and can only grow to a height of about 6 meters. Throughout the winter, pincushion flowers in shades of red, white, cream, and pink bloom. The Pincushion Hakea can be planted next to a house because of its non-invasive root system.
Conclusion
Australia does have trees that grow quickly that can brighten your day. Contrary to conventional trees, the majority of the trees listed above may not take up to five years to reach maturity.
Additionally, these trees can provide your home with lovely shading and beautify your garden. Consider the trees mentioned in this article the next time you want to plant trees in your landscape that will develop quickly.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.