BRACHYCHITON rupestris (Queensland Bottle Tree)

The Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris) is one of the great Australian feature trees: a swollen bottle shaped trunk under a compact canopy, reaching about 10m tall and 5m wide in a garden setting. It is very slow growing, seriously drought hardy and unusually well behaved underground. This one is supplied ex ground as an advanced specimen, so the character is there from the day it is planted.

Why you'll love it

• A trunk like nothing else. The bottle shaped trunk thickens with age, making the tree a sculptural feature rather than canopy cover.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non-invasive roots mean it can sit closer to driveways, paving and services than most trees this size.
• Built for hard conditions. Drought, heat, wind and poor soil are all tolerated, which is why it stands in paddocks through Queensland droughts.
• Advanced from day one. Because it grows so slowly, buying an established field grown tree is the only realistic way to have presence in a reasonable timeframe.

Where it works best

Feature planting. This is its main job. Set in open lawn, gravel or a courtyard where the trunk can be seen from several angles, it carries a whole front garden on its own.

Driveways and avenues. A matched pair at an entry, or a repeated row along a long drive, is a classic use. The compact 5m canopy does not overhang and shade the surface heavily.

Shade tree. It casts light dappled shade rather than deep cover, which suits a seating area or a lawn where you still want grass to grow underneath.

Growing the Queensland Bottle Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in an open position. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid or semi-arid gardens, and tolerates light frost only, so hard frosting tableland and southern districts are outside its range.

Soil. Any free draining soil, including poor, rocky and shallow ground. What it will not accept is waterlogging, so avoid low spots and heavy clay unless you can mound and drain the planting site.

Water and feed. A field grown tree needs help re-establishing its roots: deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then taper right off. After that it needs almost nothing, since the trunk stores its own water reserve. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring for the first few years is plenty.

Pruning. Almost none is required. Remove damaged or crossing limbs while the tree is young, and otherwise leave the natural shape to develop.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied ex ground at 4m to 5m, currently to order. Field grown trees are dug on request rather than held in stock, so allow lead time and plan for a heavy root ball: site access and machinery are part of the job.

Expect leaf drop after transplanting, which is normal for a deciduous tree lifted from the field. Establishment takes a full season or more, though the trunk you bought is the trunk you keep. Trees are delivered Australia wide, advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and there is a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More on the Queensland bottle tree and its relatives
• Browse the ex ground tree range
• Advanced trees for immediate impact
• Trees with non-invasive root systems

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Very slowly, which is exactly why advanced ex ground stock exists. A tree bought at 4m to 5m will take many years to approach its garden height of about 10m.

Will the roots damage paving or pipes?

The root system is non-invasive, so it is one of the safer large trees near hard surfaces. Standard practice still applies: leave a couple of metres of clearance from slabs and services.

What is involved in planting a tree this size?

Machinery access, a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball, and staking until the roots take hold. Arrange all of it before the delivery date.