Agathis Robusta Queensland Kauri Pine

The Queensland kauri pine (Agathis robusta) is one of the great conifers of the eastern Australian rainforests, and in a garden it settles at around 15m tall and 6m wide over many years rather than the 50m it reaches in the wild. It carries a straight pale trunk and broad leathery leaves that look nothing like a typical pine. This is ex ground stock, grown on in the field and lifted for planting, so you start with size that would otherwise take decades.

Why you'll love it

• Immediate presence. Offered at 12m to 14m, so the tree reads as established from the day it is craned into place.
• An Australian native conifer. Broad glossy leaves on a conifer frame give it a prehistoric look no exotic pine matches.
• Slow and predictable. Growth is unhurried, so it holds its shape rather than outrunning a large garden.
• Tough once away. Drought tolerant, wind tolerant and comfortable in humidity, which suits coastal and inland warm climate blocks alike.

Where it works best

Feature planting. A single kauri is the whole design on a large lawn or a park style front garden. The symmetrical crown and pale trunk want open space around them.

Shade tree. The canopy is dense and evergreen, so the shade is reliable year round rather than seasonal. Allow at least 6m of clear ground from buildings and paving.

Driveways and avenues. Matched trees at 8m to 10m spacing build an avenue with real formality. Any closer and the crowns compete.

Windbreaks. On acreage it stands up in exposed positions as the tall anchor in a mixed shelter planting.

Growing Queensland kauri pine in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and plenty of room. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland districts, the tablelands and cold southern gardens are not suitable.

Soil. Deep and free draining gives the best result. It handles most soil types once established, but it will not sit in waterlogged ground. On clay, plant on a raised mound and improve a wide area rather than a narrow hole.

Water and feed. Water deeply and regularly for the first two summers while the root plate rebuilds, then taper off as it becomes drought tolerant. A slow release native fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Very little is required. Remove damaged limbs and lift the lower branches only if you want clearance beneath. The natural form is the point of the tree.

What to expect when it arrives

This is advanced ex ground stock in the 12m to 14m range, not a potted nursery plant. It is lifted with a root ball and needs machine access, a prepared hole and staking on the day it lands. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with specialist transport quoted for a tree this size.

Expect a settling period. Some leaf drop after transplanting is normal, and the tree puts its energy into roots for the first season before you see growth up top. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 on standard stock and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full ex ground tree range
• Compare other conifers for Australian gardens
• What tree maturity means when you buy advanced stock
• Native trees for feature and shade

Common questions

How big will it really get in my garden?

Around 15m tall and 6m wide over a long period. The 50m figure quoted for wild trees applies to rainforest conditions and centuries of growth, not a suburban block.

How close to a house can I plant it?

Give it at least 6m of clearance from walls, paving and services, and more where you can. A tree of this eventual size deserves open ground rather than a tight corner.

Will it handle frost?

Light frost only. If your garden gets regular hard frosts or snow, a cool climate conifer will serve you far better.