Mature Plants for Immediate Privacy

What ex ground actually means

Every tree here is field grown: raised in open ground for years, root pruned in preparation, then dug and freighted rather than lifted off a nursery bench in a pot. That is how you buy a screening tree already measured in metres. It also means these are not a standard courier delivery. Access matters, machinery is often needed to place them, and specialist transport is quoted at cost for every order.

Choosing your instant privacy screen

The lilly pilly family does the heaviest lifting. The Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) reaches about 10m untrimmed and closes into a soft, dense wall planted at 2m centres, while the Small Leaved Lilly Pilly (Syzygium luehmannii) holds a tighter 7m habit with pink new growth at 1.5m spacing. For perfume as well as privacy, Lemon Myrtle carries fragrant culinary foliage to 6m, and the White Fragrant Magnolia (Magnolia x alba) scents a whole garden from a 10m canopy. Ficus Hillii 'Flash' is the fastest solid wall of the lot, but its roots are aggressive, so keep it well clear of pipes, pools, paving and foundations. In frosty southern districts, the deciduous Ornamental Pear is the safe pick, fully frost hardy and spaced at 3m for an avenue or screen.

Climate and siting

Most of this range is subtropical and warm temperate at heart, with the natives handling coastal wind and humidity well. The majority tolerate light frost only, so they suit gardens from Sydney and Perth northward without protection. In Melbourne, Canberra and the hills districts, lean on the Ornamental Pear or ask us about hardiness before committing a five figure tree to a frost hollow. Full sun grows the densest screen for nearly everything here.

Planting and establishment

Dig the hole twice the width of the rootball and no deeper, so the trunk sits at its original soil level. Water in heavily on day one, then deeply two to three times a week through the first summer. Stake large trees against wind for the first 12 to 18 months and mulch generously, keeping mulch off the trunk. A transplanted mature tree spends its first year rebuilding roots, so expect modest top growth early, then normal vigour from the second season.

Common questions

How quickly will I actually have privacy?

Immediately, in the sense that the trees arrive at screening height. Planted at the spacings above, the gaps between canopies typically knit closed within one to two growing seasons.

How does delivery work for trees this size?

Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with specialist transport quoted for every order. We deliver Australia wide, and the minimum order is $300 before delivery, which ex ground stock clears by definition.

Do I need machinery to plant an ex ground tree?

Usually yes. Rootballs at this size are too heavy to move by hand, so plan for machine access or a crane lift on the day, and have the hole prepared before the truck arrives.

Are mature trees riskier to transplant than potted ones?

Handled properly, no. These trees are root pruned ahead of harvest, and every one carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. The establishment watering schedule is the part the buyer controls, and it matters.

If your budget suits growing a screen instead, the hedging and screening range starts at everyday prices, and many of these species appear as younger stock among our Australian native plants.