TOP TEN SMALL TREES

Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)

An Australian native small tree or large shrub that has medium-sized dark green leathery leaves and graceful white or pink fringed flowers that are followed by small blue berries, hence its name. This plant is very hardy and can be used as a street tree or as a screening plant as it responds well to pruning. It will tolerate a wide range of aspects including shade and sun, as well as nutrient-poor soils or moist, humus-rich soil. Its height when fully grown ranges from 4 to 8m depending on conditions.

NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)

The NSW Christmas Bush is a large shrub or small native tree to approximately 4-5m in height that bears clusters of small white flowers in spring. As the flowers die  their calyxes turn a pale red colour so that by Christmas the tree is a lovely red and cut flowers can be brought inside for flower arrangements. These trees do well in most soil types and positions as long as they are in a well-drained spot and protected from strong winds.

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)

Another great native tree to about 8m in height, the Tuckeroo has bright green leaves and greenish-white flowers followed by orange capsules and forms a great small canopy tree. It is excellent for tricky spots as it will tolerate coastal exposure, poor soils, heat, wind and pollution, making it a great choice as a street tree, specimen tree or for use as a wind break. A very hardy bird-attracting tree and a great choice for small gardens.

Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum)

One of the best-colouring small deciduous trees for our local area, the Chinese Tallow Tree grows to around 8m high and has green leaves that turn different shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn. In late spring and early summer small creamy white flowers appear, followed by woody seed capsules. Once established, these trees are hardy to drought and provide shade in summer while letting the light through in the colder winter months. A great specimen tree or street tree.

Chinese Pistachio (Pistachia cinensis)

Another great deciduous tree for the Illawarra local climate, growing to around 8m in height, with a rounded crown. This tree has pinnate leaves that turn a brilliant orange-red in autumn, and provides long-lasting autumn colour. It will grow in part shade but colours best if situated in a full sun position, and tolerates poor, compacted soils and paved areas. Uses include park or avenue plantings, or makes an excellent specimen tree in the home garden.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum cvs)

The Japanese Maple is a small deciduous tree that ranges in height depending on the cultivar but is generally from about 2m to 4m high. Some common cultivars include 'Dissectum Atropurpureum' which has finely divided purple new growth that ages to bronze green in summer and finally to orange in autumn; 'Sango Kaku' which has bright red new canes that gradually age to brown and light green palmate leaves turning yellow-orange in autumn; and 'Inaba Shidare' which has very dark purple leaves that keep their dark colour through summer and turn crimson in autumn. Japanese Maples can also be purchased as weeping standards and make spectacular feature trees in parks and home gardens. They require moist, fertile well-drained soil and need some protection from hot westerlies and coastal winds.

Flowering plum (Prunus x blireana/Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra')

These deciduous trees provide interest in the garden long after their beautiful spring blossoms have faded, with their deep purple foliage creating a striking contrast to neighbouring greenery. Growing 4-5m high and with a vase-like habit, they are a valuable asset to any garden, doing best in fertile, moist, well-draining soils with protection from strong winds. A great garden specimen or avenue tree.

Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica and cvs)

Crepe Myrtles are known for their colourful crepe-like flowers that appear in summer and range from pinks mauve and white, and their autumn display of orange and red foliage. They also have beautiful smooth and sometimes peeling multicoloured bark which provides interest in the winter months when the trees themselves are dormant. Crepe Myrtles are known for their hardiness and the newer cultivars are even hardier, being resistant to powdery mildew which was once a common disease among these trees. Hardy to heat and poor soils, they prefer a full sun position with good air circulation and will reach a height of between 3 and 7m depending on the cultivar.

Grafted Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia cvs)

These popular native trees from Western Australia have been grafted to ensure consistency of flower colour and disease resistance as well as suitability for a wide range of soil types. This also means that you won't have to wait for years on end to get your first flowers! There are several cultivars which range in size from about 3 to 5m in height and come in a range of colours including pink, red, orange and white. The flowers are followed by large gum nuts which stay on the tree for a long time. They require free-draining soils, are drought-hardy once established, and are wonderful bird-attracting trees.

Pittosporum 'Cut Above' (Pittosporum undulatum 'Cut Above')

This new variety of Sweet Pittosporum makes a great small tree or large shrub for difficult sites as it will tolerate poor compacted soils, coastal conditions, pollution, frost, full sun and part shade. It also grows all year round and reaches about 4-5m in height reasonably quickly. It bears small white fragrant flowers in spring which do not set seed, and makes a great small shade tree or street tree.