Deciduous Trees

Size and roots decide more than flowers do

Match the tree to the block first. In a courtyard or small front garden, stay under 6m: Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) sit near 5m after fifteen years, Forest Pansy redbud at 5m, weeping cherries at 3.5m, and the crepe myrtles run from 3m shrubs to the 6m Natchez. For a genuine shade tree or avenue there are jacarandas at 12m, liquidambars at 15m and Cleveland Select, a narrow ornamental pear at 9m tall and about 4m wide.

Roots are the honest second question. Crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, Forest Pansy and Cleveland Select are non invasive and safe near paving. Liquidambar, jacaranda and poinciana all run vigorous surface roots, so give them lawn rather than paths, and keep river birch away from drains. The Queensland bottle tree is the surprise, with a deep taproot and no spreading roots.

Deciduous trees are not just for cold climates

In the tropics and subtropics, the deciduous habit turns showman. Royal poinciana spreads a red flowering canopy as wide as the tree is tall, the Illawarra flame tree drops its leaves before flowering scarlet on bare wood, and pink trumpet tree is briefly deciduous before its mass display. Jacarandas thrive from the tropics to warm temperate gardens with only light frost. In cooler southern gardens the classics take over: maples, weeping cherries, ornamental pears, liquidambar and river birch are all fully frost hardy, and autumn colour deepens further south. Our guide to evergreen versus deciduous trees covers the trade-off properly.

Planting and spacing

Winter is the best time to plant, while the trees are dormant. Dig the hole twice the width of the pot and no deeper, water in hard and mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk. Stake tall stock for the first year. For an avenue, space Cleveland Select 3m apart and larger crepe myrtles 3m to 4m; river birch makes a screen or grove at 4m centres. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers, then most of this range needs only a soak in long dry spells.

Care through the seasons

Feed once in early spring, rake leaves straight under the tree as mulch, and prune in winter when the structure is visible: remove dead, crossing and inward growth, and never top. Japanese maples want shelter from hot afternoon sun and drying wind. Crepe myrtles should never be cut back to stubs; light tip pruning keeps the vase shape and the bark display.

Common questions

How long do deciduous trees stay bare?

Roughly eight to twelve weeks in the south, less in warm climates, where some barely pause. The bare season lets winter sun reach the house, which is why you plant one on the northern side.

Which trees are safe near paving and pools?

Crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, Forest Pansy, Cleveland Select and the Queensland bottle tree all carry non invasive roots. Keep liquidambar, jacaranda and poinciana at least a canopy width away from paving, pipes and pools.

Will a jacaranda grow in Melbourne?

Established trees handle light frost, so warm suburbs usually succeed, though young trees need frost protection for their first winters and flowering is lighter than in Sydney. In cold districts an ornamental pear or maple is the safer avenue tree.

How does delivery work for advanced trees?

Everything is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. For the same winter logic at shrub height, see our deciduous shrubs.