Origin

Coastal forest edges from northern New South Wales to North Queensland.

Habitat:

Moderate to fast growing medium sized evergreen tree typically developing a single trunk and rounded to pyramidal canopy,  In its natural environment the species can attain heights of up to 40m.  In southern Australia   mature dimension of about 10-15 m in height  x 6-12 m width can be expected.

Description:

Leaves thick, ovate, dark green and glossy. above, paler beneath,to 15cm long.  Flowers white, occurring in three’s, generally inconspicuous in southern Australia.  Fruit a woody bell shaped capsule to 1cm.  Bark smooth, sometimes lustrous, beige coloured, seasonally peeling in flakes revealing  coppery orange to brown tones.

Tolerances:

Tolerates a wide range of soils growing best in a  soil pH of  between 4-6.  Moderately tolerant of drought, frosts, aerial slat spray and air pollution.

Root space:

Based on 75% of mature size tree would require approximately 254m2 area or 152m3 root volume (crown projection method).

Availability:

Commonly available.

Uses & management:

Moderate to long lived species.  Requires irrigation to establish.  Transplants easily.  Rarely requires formative pruning to develop good branch structure.   Responds well to pruning.  Fire retardant.  Generally free of any serious pests or diseases.  Flowers attract bees.  Produces a woody fruit capsule that can create trip hazard on hard surfaces.  Leaf litter slow to break down.  Good street tree or modest sized specimen tree for parks.

Featured Tree© Tree Logic Pty Ltd 2009

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