BRACHYCHITON australis (Broad Leaved Bottle Tree)

The Broad Leaved Bottle Tree (Brachychiton australis) is an Australian native grown for its swollen, tapering trunk. It drops its broad lobed leaves in the dry season and flowers cream and green on bare wood, settling at about 10m tall with a 6m canopy in a garden. Supplied ex ground as an advanced specimen at 7m to 8m, it arrives as a mature tree rather than a project.

Why you'll love it

• A trunk with genuine presence. The bottle shaped trunk thickens with age and gives a sculptural character a straight trunked shade tree cannot.
• Maturity on day one. At 7m to 8m it delivers canopy and scale immediately, which no potted tree can do.
• An Australian native that feeds wildlife. The flowers bring in birds, bees and butterflies.
• Built for hard country. Drought, heat and poor stony soil are all within its range once established.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it open lawn or gravel where the trunk is visible from the house, because the trunk is the reason to plant it.

Shade tree. The broad leaves cast solid shade through the growing season, then bare branches let winter sun through.

Driveways and avenues. Allow about 8m between trees so each canopy has room, and keep the line clear of services.

Growing the Broad Leaved Bottle Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and plenty of room. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and semi-arid gardens, so Queensland, northern New South Wales and dry inland towns. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting tablelands and cold southern gardens are not the place for one.

Soil. Drainage matters more than fertility. Poor, sandy and rocky ground suits it, while soil that stays wet risks rot at the base of the trunk. Plant high on clay and mulch 75mm deep.

Water and feed. A field grown tree needs steady water while it rebuilds roots, so soak deeply once a week through the first two summers, then taper off. A low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring for the first few years is enough.

Pruning. Almost none. Remove damaged limbs once the tree is established, and wear gloves when clearing spent seed pods, because they carry fine hairs that irritate skin.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in one size, ex ground at 7m to 8m. Ex ground means field grown and lifted rather than container grown, so it arrives with a prepared root ball and needs to go straight into a prepared hole. Access matters at this scale: machinery is needed to place the tree, so plan a clear path to the planting position.

Expect the first season to be recovery rather than growth, with a lighter canopy while roots rebuild, then normal growth from the second year. Delivered Australia wide, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• A closer look at Australia's bottle trees
• Browse the full ex ground tree range
• Compare other Australian native trees

Common questions

What does ex ground mean?

The tree was grown in the field and lifted with a root ball rather than raised in a pot. It gives a far larger tree for the money, and in return needs immediate planting and steady water while roots re-establish.

How big will it get in a garden?

Around 10m tall and 6m wide is realistic in cultivation. The 20m specimens in habitat are old trees in ideal conditions, so plan for 10m.

Does it lose its leaves?

Yes. It drops the broad leaves in the dry season and flowers on bare wood, which is normal rather than a sign of stress. The canopy returns with the wet.

Will it handle frost?

Light frost only. Young trees are the most vulnerable, and repeated hard frost damages growth, so this is not a tree for the tablelands or cold southern gardens.