Tree types
Thinking of planting a tree on your property? Browse our collection of tree samples by type.
Interested in a wider selection? See a more detailed category of trees.
Trees that bear fruit
Pistachio
Pistacia chinensis
Deciduous tree with a rounded crown (9-15m x 9-12m). Fast growing. Dark grey bark with shallow furrows. Compound leaves, dark green and slightly shiny above and paler green and duller below, turning yellow, orange and bright scarlet in autumn. Clusters of small greenish-white inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by small fleshy berries ripening to a blue colour. A good shade or feature tree for autumn foliage colour. Tolerates most well-drained soils. Moderately drought tolerant. Frost hardy.
Mango
Mangifera indica
Evergreen tree with a dense spreading crown (12-15m x 5-8m). Glossy dark green lanceolate prominently veined and slightly aromatic leaves. Reddish or bright green new growth. Terminal clusters of insignificant flowers followed by green to reddish or yellowish mango fruit in summer. A good fruit or shade tree for a warm protected position. Requires deep, fertile, well-drained soil regularly replenished with organic matter or fertiliser in the growing season. Protect from strong winds. Drought sensitive. Frost sensitive. Avoid planting close to structures. Not suitable for small gardens.
Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo
Evergreen tree with broadly spreading crown (6-8m x 6-7m). Rough and fissured red-brown bark. Oblong toothed leaves are glossy green above, paler below. Drooping terminal clusters of small bell-shaped white flowers flushed with pink in autumn followed by small strawberry-like berry ripening to red in autumn. A good small ornamental feature or screen tree. Prefers well-drained, acidic soil, and an open and sunny aspect. Suitable for coastal locations provided it is sheltered from coastal winds. Drought tolerant once established. Frost hardy.
Trees that provide privacy
Fringed Wattle
Acacia fimbriata
Evergreen tree with an upright or spreading crown (6m x 5-6m). Narrow lanceolate light green phyllodes (modified leaves). Clusters of perfumed ball-shaped lemon yellow flowers in late winter to spring followed by seed pods. A good screen tree. Tolerant of damp conditions. Drought tolerant. Frost hardy.
Claret Ash
Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywoodii'
Deciduous tree with ascending branches, an upright habit and an open crown (10-15m x 7-10m). Fast growing. Grey-green bark. Lacy compound deep green leaves occurring in whorls along the branches turning purple-red (claret) in autumn. A good shade or feature tree for autumn foliage colour. Best foliage colour in cooler climates. Moderate drought tolerance. Frost hardy. Avoid planting close to structures. Not suitable for small gardens.
Photinia
Photinia x faseri 'Robusta'
Evergreen multi-stemmed tree with a dense rounded crown (4-6m x 4-6m). Fast growing. Dark green leathery leaves and inkish-red to bronze new growth. Terminal clusters of small creamy-white flowers in late spring to summer and sometimes throughout the year, followed by small round reddish-brown fruit. A good small screen or feature tree for the colourful new foliage. Tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils and conditions. Drought tolerant once established. Frost hardy.
Trees that provide flowers and colour
Golden Rain Tree
Koelreuteria paniculata
Deciduous tree with a broad-domed crown (7-10m x 7-9m). Deeply furrowed bark. Serrated green compound leaves turning yellow in autumn. Long terminal sprays of bright yellow flowers in late spring and summer, followed by clusters of red-pink papery capsules. A good shade or feature tree. Drought tolerant. Frost hardy.
Rowen Tree
Sorbus aucuparia
Deciduous tree with ascending branches and a rounded open crown (10-12m x 6-7m). Compound fern-like leaves turning orange-scarlet in cool climates. Large terminal clusters of creamy-white flowers with a slightly unpleasant smell in spring followed by large clusters of orange to red fleshy berries in autumn. Fruit attracts birds. A good shade,Screen or feature tree in a cool, moist site. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil and cooler climates. Leaves may burn in dry sites with high summer temperatures. Drought sensitive. Frost hardy. Avoid planting close to structures.
Pink Tipped Bottlebrush
Callistemon salignus
Evergreen tree with a compact dense crown (7-9m x 4-6m). Fast growing. Attractive papery bark. Bright green narrow lanceolate (willow-like) leaves with bronze-pink new growth. Cylindrical creamy-white flower spikes in summer. A good screen or small shade tree. Bird attracting. Tolerates both wet and dry positions. Moderately drought tolerant. Tolerant of light frosts. Avoid planting close to structures.
Easy care trees
Dwarf Apple
Angophora hispida
Evergreen tree with a twisted growth habit and gnarled branches (6-8m x 4-6m). New growth covered in thick coarse hairs. Large sprays of large creamy-white flowers in summer. An attractive feature tree for the form and flowers. Insect and bird attracting. Prefers sandy soil. Drought tolerant once established. Frost sensitive when young.
Tuscarora Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei 'Tuscarora'
Deciduous to semi-deciduous tree with a vase-shaped to rounded crown (5-6m x 4m). Attractive smooth bark, exfoliating to reveal mottled light brown patches. Elliptical shaped leaves, dark green and glossy above and paler beneath, changing to yellow and reddish-orange in autumn. Reddish-green new growth. Large showy terminal clusters of dark fuchsia-pink flowers during summer and early autumn. A good screen or feature tree for the showy flowers. Suitable for coastal areas. Prefers moist, fertile,Slightly acidic, well-drained soil, full sun and protection from strong summer winds. Moderate drought tolerant once established. Light frost tolerant. Cultivars include the smaller 'Sioux' with mid-pink flowers (4.5m x 3m) and 'Yuma' with mid-lavender flowers (4m x 3m).
Old Man Banksia
Banksia serrata
Evergreen tree often with a gnarled and twisted form (6-10m x 4-5m). Corrugated rough textured corky bark. Oblong leathery saw-toothed leaves, dark green above and grey-green below. Cylindrical grey green flower spikes turning purplish brown and then aging to grey brown, followed woody seed capsules. A good shade or feature tree for the interesting form, flowers and bark. Attracts birds and insects. Tolerant of salinity. Prefers infertile well-drained sandy soils. Drought tolerant. Frost hardy.
Trees that provide shade
Chanticleer Flowering Pear
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Deciduous tree with a pyramidical dense crown (6-10m x 3-6m). Greyish-brown bark, becoming lightly furrowed with age. Oval glossy dark green leaves turning gold, red and burgundy in autumn. Clusters of white flowers in spring followed by small brown pear-shaped fruit that may persist on the tree through autumn and winter. Flowers may be unpleasantly scented. A good feature,Shade or screen tree or for planting where above ground space is restricted. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including intermittently wet, heavy soils. Prefers deep, moist, fertile, well-drained soil, ample moisture during the warmer months and full sun. Protect from strong winds. Drought sensitive. Frost hardy.
Illawarra Flaming tree
Brachychiton acerifolius
Mainly evergreen but sometimes partially deciduous tree with a broad conical crown (10-15m x 7-9m). Large variably lobed leaves, dark green above,Paler below. Waxy red bell-shaped flowers on leafless branches in late spring, followed by boat-shaped fruit. A good feature tree in a large garden. Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Protect from strong and salt-laden winds. Prefers ample water in summer - may need irrigation in dry periods. Some drought tolerance once established. Frost sensitive.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Deciduous or semi-deciduous tree with an open and often irregularly shaped crown (10-15m x 8-12m). Fast growing. Bright green fern-like leaves of many tiny leaflets, turning yellow in autumn. Large terminal clusters of lavender purple bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring to early summer followed by curved leathery seed pods. A good tree to cast light shade or feature tree for the showy flowers. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil and protection from cold winter winds. Moderately drought tolerant. Light frost tolerant. Avoid planting close to structures.