Origin: Disjunct populations are found from the Cape York Peninsula southwards to the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, but the greatest concentration of the population is in the dryer areas of the Illawarra Range.
Habit: Typically 10-15m x 8-10m
Description: Semi-deciduous, maple-like foliage and fantastic flower display of masses of bright scarlet flowers that come out just before Christmas. These flowers are frequently followed by long follicle fruits.
Tolerances: Succeeds in many conditions
Notes: The fruits don’t seem to have the itchy character found with B. populneus.
Root space: Based on mature size tree would require approximately 47m3 root volume (Crown projection method).
Availability: Common.
Reference: Spencer, R. 1997, Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia, Volume 2, University of New South Wales Press.
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17. December 2008 at 2:44 pm
We have an Illawarra Flame Tree which is about 4 or 5 years old. It has never flowered and all the new growth seems to get attacked by something….
Please any ideas as to why its not flowering and what we can do to prevent it from being eaten…?
Kind regards
Claire
9. January 2009 at 7:31 am
Brachychiton acerifolius likes to grow in deep, well drained loam, in a sunny position with at least some degree of summer (or summer-autumn) rainfall. The Illawarra Flame Tree is deciduous in spring or the tropical dry season and flowers just before the new leaves appear in early summer. The tree is tolerant of temperate climates.
Specimens do not tend to flower until they are older (research suggests this can vary from 6-20 years).
The tree can be variable from year to year in terms of its deciduous extent and flowering. A specimen may flower only partially. This could be as a result of the proceeding pervading climatic conditions.
I am not aware of specific pests that may infest this species. I would suggest you trap one of the pests and take it to the local nursery for identification and control options.
1. February 2009 at 3:08 pm
Brachychiton species can be attacked by a pest such as the Kurrajong Leaf Tyer. Will group a cluster of leaves and tie them together. I have seen borers affect new growth and tips will die back. But I haven’t seen the new growth just eaten.
My suggestion is to note when the new growth is occuring and treat with a systemic insecticide. Confidor is the safest suggestion,drenching the root zone with product, but if the growth remains affected then dimethoate would do the job. Be careful.
Ungrafted trees can take time to flower. Be patient.
21. August 2009 at 5:32 pm
We have several flame trees in Brisbane and most are suffering fro what looks like a borer attack – ie same look as tip moth on red cedars. It’s pretty severe on most despite, or because of(?), a good rainy year. The tree least affected is on the top of a ridge, poor soil very dry; the worst affected have lovely rich red gully soil. All have plenty of sun.
27. August 2009 at 11:03 am
Hi Alison,
I would be interested to see a picture of the insect and affected trees if possible – Pls send to jamesmm@treelogic.com.au
Has the gully experienced waterlogged soils, extended periods of inundation. If so then root dieback may have occurred resulting in the observed tip dieback, though I would expect all parts of the affected trees to show signs.
20. December 2009 at 10:45 am
Hello,
I live on the Mornington Peninsula Vic and have an Illawarra Flame Tree (9 years old) that is being attacked at night time. I think it could a beetle of some type. I check it everyday and cant see any pests at all. I have sprayed it religiously this year and put vaseline around the butt. This has slowed down the damage on new and old leaves but is not eliminating the pest. Can you help?
Regards Ken
21. December 2009 at 7:43 am
I have three Brachychiton acerifolius (ii?)growing in a triangle, about 2 metres apart in a clay soil which has poor drainage. These trees never grow any higher, but have bushed out a wee bit. I water them for an hour each week.
Am I over-watering them? I live south-west of Cairns in the cooler country of the Atherton Tablelands.
Ironically, an extremely healthy flame tree looks brilliant in full flower right now, opposite my place (over the road) in the yard of a house that’s not been occupied for over two years. That tree is never artifically watered and, further, we are in one of the biggest droughts this place has ever seen in modern times.
Any comments would be appreciated.
21. December 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thanks Jim for the post. Please refer to Stephen Frank’s comments earlier in this blog. I think you will find them most helpful. You may also want to spike the soil before you irrigate just to make sure that the soil is not already damp. The planting distances sound very close.
Cheers and all the Best
David B
21. December 2009 at 3:42 pm
Ken
It sounds like possums to me. Look for scratch marks on the lower trunk and the size of the ‘bite’ mark on the damaged leaves.
Cheers and all the Best
David B
21. December 2009 at 5:19 pm
Dear David
Thank you for the information. I shall put a guard around today.I cannot see any scratch marks on trunk re possums. Process of elimination. whatever is eating it starts from the outside of the leaves like a cutting caterpillar and just leaving a skeleton
24. December 2009 at 8:24 am
DAVID
Thanks for help ringtail possums were
the problem
merry xmas
regards Ken Stockton