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Ornamental Trees
This page will cover issues related to trees in the urban landscape plus tree selection, planting and maintenance in general. Fruit trees covered in more detail on the Fruits and nuts page.
News
Leaf venation a limit to growth
A study of fossil leaves suggest that an increase in the number of veins per unit area of leaf may have increased the efficiency of water movement through plants and made the first rainforest giants possible. Source: First rainforests arose when plants solved plumbing problem (May 2011)
Reprieve for Theebine trees
A plan to remove seven large trees to build a carpark at the school in Theebine (near Gympie) is to be modified after protests from the town's residents. A more modest design will be implemented at the small school. Source: Theebine's School Trees Saved (April 2011)
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Related topics on this site:
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Where to buy trees and tree services
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You're likely to find a selection of trees suitable for your area in your local garden centres.
Some nurseries specialise in particular categories of plants (e.g. fruit trees, frangipani, palms, etc). These are good places to look for less commonly cultivated varities. Follow the links on the Plants page to see if there is a specialist nursery listed in your category of interest.
If you specifically want to buy trees in large container sizes for instant landscapes, try the nurseries listed on the Advanced Plants page. Some specialists may also carry advanced stock.
If you need large quanities of tubestock for farm forestry or revegetation projects, you may need to identify a wholesale grower or similar. Try local agricultural and forestry research stations or environmental organisations for suitable contacts (some links here: Australian Natives Links)
Looking for someone to prune a tree or to assess or treat a tree problem? Go to Arborists and Tree-related Services
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Species
Hundreds of tree species could potentially be grown in Queensland, but a great many would not be practical in urban environments and/or are not readily available on the commercial market.
The folllowing selected genera contain some of the more popular tree species for ornamental purposes in Qld. Follow the links for more information. Please note, however, that many species referred to on these pages will nevertheless be unsuitable for small gardens, so please do your research before planting.
See also Shrubs (some larger shrub species can be trained as small trees).
Genus
Link indicates a dedicated page | Notes, Other links
Includes assorted links to other websites if no dedicated page on this site |
| Acmena | see Lillipilly |
| Aleurites |
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| Avocado | see Fruit |
| Backhousia | |
| Bauhinia | |
| Bixa |
Bixa orellana Annatto, Lipstick Tree, Achiote. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
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| Bolusanthus | |
| Brachychiton | |
| Brownea |
Brownea macrophylla Panama Flame Tree At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
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| Buckinghamia | |
| Callistemon | |
| Calodendron | |
| Cananga | |
| Cassia | |
| Casuarina | |
| Citharexylum |
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| Citrus | |
| Colvillea |
Colvillea racemosa Flowers of India
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| Combretum | See Trees
Combretum constrictum - the Powderpuff Combretum. "My Dry Tropics Garden" blog, Qld |
| Conifers | |
| Cupaniopsis | |
| Dais | |
| Delonix | |
| Dillenia | |
| Dombeya |
PlantZAfrica.com Check the "Plants of SA" menu. Information on several Dombeya species is included. South African National Biodiversity Institute
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| Elaeocarpus | |
| Enterolobium |
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| Erythrina | |
| Eucalyptus | |
| Eugenia | See Lilipilly |
| Frangipani | see Plumeria |
| Franklinia | |
| Fruit trees | |
| Gordonia | |
| Grevillea | |
| Guajacum |
Lignum Vitae ( Guajacum officinale, Guajacum sanctum) Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida |
| Gustavia | |
| Gymnostoma | See Casuarina |
| Harpullia | |
| Hymenosporum | |
| Jacaranda | |
| Kigelia |
Sausage Tree Kigelia africana. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Gorgeous Bignons in Westwood some notes on this family and its many ornamental members, in particular Kigelia africana ( K. pinnata). Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, California
Sausage Tree Kigelia pinnata. Kruger National Park - South Africa Safari and Lodging Guide
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| Lagerstroemia | |
| Lagunaria | |
| Leptospermum | |
| Lilypillies | |
| Liquidambar | |
| Lophostemon | |
| Macaranga | |
| Magnolia | |
| Mango | - see Fruit |
| Markhamia |
Markhamia lutea Siala Tree. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
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| Melaleuca | |
| Michelia | |
| Palms | |
| Pandanus | |
| Peltophorum | |
| Pittosporum | |
| Plumeria | |
| Podocarpus | |
| Poinciana | see Delonix |
| Polyalthia | |
| Polyscias | |
| Polyspora | |
| Radermachera | |
| Rothmannia | |
| Schotia | |
| Stenocarpus | |
| Syzygium | |
| Tabebuia | |
| Tibouchina | |
| Tipuana | |
| Triplaris | |
| Vitex | |
| Waterhousia | See Lilipilly |
| Xanthostemon | |
More Links
Queensland
Vegetation fact sheets Dept Natural Resources & Mines, Queensland. Series covers many aspects of tree planting, care and management for homes and farms, including (PDFs):
Pools 'n' Plants The Swimming pool and Spa Association of Queensland Inc. (SPASA)
safetree "Powerline friendly" planting tips from Energex
Historic trees
Information on several important trees in Qld, such as the "Burke and Wills Dig Tree". Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland
Australia
Urban Tree Stories Research project about people and trees in Australian cities, in which you can participate
Urban Tree Stories Research project about people and trees in Australian cities in which you can participate. This website also has summaries of other research findings about urban trees
International
Links about pruning of established trees and dealing with storm damaged trees moved to ArboristsDanny Boy the Pipes.... Some views about clogged drain pipes and their treatment. Arboretum Plant Information Log (California)
Planting a tree College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources free publication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)
Does Size Matter? Article about the advantages of planting a tree from small sized stock. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida
For more on placement of trees around the house for savings to cooling and heating bills, go to The Self-Sufficiency Pages - Building
Older News
More items related to arboricultural activities in various municipalities around Queensland, go to the Arborists page.
Planting guide for cyclone regions
Associate Professor Betsy Jackes has written a guide based on almost 40 years of observations to help residents of north Queensland and Darwin select and cultivate trees with safety in mind. No tree is totally cyclone-proof, but factors such as the leaf type, branching structure, type of root system, conditions at planting and subsequent pruning can also affect their performance in a cyclone. You can find the guide at the Jame Cook University website here: Choosing Plants for Areas Prone to Cyclones. (March 2011)
High-rise nitrogen fixation
A new significance for old-growth trees in some ecosystems has been discovered in North American coastal temperate rainforests. It was already known that cyanobacteria in mosses on the forest floor fixed nitrogen, but it was found that they were more abundant in mosses growing high in the canopy. As mosses take a long time to accumulate, nitrogen input into the system can be affected by the density of very old trees. (February, 2011)
Laws on neighbours' trees to receive update
A draft copy of new laws designed to make disputes over trees and fences easier to resolve has been released for community consultation. It's hoped that the new laws will be better suited to the 21st century, with people today living in such close proximity. The draft bill includes clarification of the responsibilitites of the tree's owner. Read more at the Qld Govt website here: Neighbourhood disputes over trees and fences to be easier to resolve (May 2010)
Big Tree Database for Australia
Ever wondered how big the largest specimen of a tree species is, or where it's located? A National Register of Big Trees is now being established to collect such information for Australia. Members of the public will be able to nominate native or exotic trees of significance in parks and gardens as well as natural habitats. Learn more at the website: National Register of Big Trees
Tree of Kowledge goes to university
One 25 plants propagated from Barcaldine's "Tree of Knowledge" after it's 2006 poisoning has been donated to the University of Queensland and has found a home at the St Lucia campus. Source: Knowledge planted at UQ (November 2009)
Can trees reduce your electricity bills?
A study of homes in Sacramento, California have shown that well-positioned shade trees can reduce summer electricity use by 5 percent, but unsuitable placement can actually increase it. Further studies in other cities of the world, and in wintertime, are needed to see how trees affect electricity use across geographic locality and season. However, urban trees have potential to reduce atmospheric carbon both by reducing electricity demand and incorporating of carbon in their wood as they grow. Source: New Study: Home Energy Savings Are Made in the Shade (May 2009)
Dead tree still has a role to play in Townsville landscape
After assessment by an arborist, an old gum in Pioneer Park, Townsville has been judged beyond help and a significant risk to public safety. The good news for residents and wildlife is that after cutting back of branches and poisoning (to prevent regrowth), the trunk will be retained as a nesting site. A replacement shade tree will also be planted nearby. Read more: Council to manage declining gum tree (2008)
One of Rocky's favourite trees collapses
An Enterolobium cyclocarpum that had been a feature of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens for over 30 years has collapsed during heavy wind and rain. In spite of the unromantic common name of "Ear Tree" (due to the shape of the seedpods), the old tree was a popular site for weddings. Staff intend to plant another one soon. Meanwhile, anyone who has a booked a function at the Ear Tree should contact the Gardens. More information from the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens here: Botanic Gardens Icon Collapses January 2008
Hervey Bay has tree-lined vision
Hervey Bay City Council have arranged to have 41 six-metre high fig trees planted as part of a strategy to develop an entrance statement for the city. It's possible that grey water might be used to irrigate these and other trees. Read more at the Council's website here: Avenue of figs at entrance to the Bay.
More shade trees for Gold Coast
Unhappy with the amount of shade in the city, the Gold Coast City Council has reviewed its free plant scheme. Free shrubs and groundcovers are to be eliminated, but shade trees will continue to be offered. The planned Residential Tree Scheme and Street Tree Scheme are part of the Council's strategy to create Australia's "most attractive and shaded city". More information at the Council's website here: Free Tree Scheme to Green the City
Avenues of Honour
The Avenue of Honour Project 1915-2015 aims to document, preserve and restore trees planted to honour servicemen and women in the last century, in addition to planting new ones, in time for the Centenary of the Anzac in 2015. Many coummunity groups and government bodies (including Brisbane City Council - More information about their participation HERE) are collaborating with the RSL and TREENET on this project. If you have any information about memorial trees in your district, or you would just like to learn more about the project, visit the website: TREENET Avenues of Honour Project
Trees increase property values
Research indicates that the top five suburbs in Brisbane (rated by median house price) are all well furnished with street trees. In contrast, some of the poorest performing areas have few trees. Read the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) media release
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Feature Article
Safetree: "powerline friendly approved"
A collaboration betweeen ENERGEX and Greening Australia, the Safetree program aims to encourage responsible planting under and near powerlines. This includes the powerline connected to your home.
To help homeowners select appropriate tree and shrub species, a list of over 100 "Safetrees" has been developed. "Safetrees" share the following characteristics:
- suitable for south east Queensland
- grow less than 4 metres tall
- reasonably long lifespan
- low susceptibility to pests and diseases
- don't tend to shed material excessively
- not poisonous
- readily available
The list includes native and exotic species. Some are bird attracting. Others provide shade, flowers or fruit. You're sure to find something to suit your garden in the Safetree Planting Guide, which you can download from the ENERGEX site in PDF form: www.energex.com.au/pdf/network/planting_guide_LR.pdf
Alternatively, look for plants with Safetree tags and signage at participating garden centres.
More information about the Safetree Program is available via the following links:
ENERGEX safetree program ENERGEX
Energex Safetree Program Greening Australia
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