ELATTOSTACHYS xylocarpa (White Tamarind)

White tamarind (Elattostachys xylocarpa) is an eastern Australian rainforest tree that settles at around 10m tall and 5m wide in a garden, well short of the 20m it reaches in the wild. It holds a dense evergreen canopy on a narrow frame, carries cream flowers, then splits open orange fruit capsules that bring native birds in. Supplied ex ground as an advanced specimen, it gives a new garden the presence of an established tree.

Why you'll love it

• Shade without the sprawl. At about 10m tall and only 5m across it shades a courtyard or driveway without the wide reaching canopy of a fig or a poinciana.
• A genuine bird tree. The orange capsules split to show glossy seed that native birds work through, following a flush of cream flowers.
• Evergreen all year. Foliage holds through winter, so the screening value does not disappear when you most want it.
• Tougher than most rainforest trees. It handles humidity as expected, but also copes with dry spells once the root system is away.

Where it works best

Shade and feature planting. A single specimen anchors a lawn or front garden, with height enough to shade a roof line and a canopy narrow enough to keep the garden beneath it usable.

Screening and privacy. Space trees 4m to 5m apart for a tall evergreen screen along a boundary. The dense habit blocks an overlooking upper storey where a shrub cannot reach.

Driveways and avenues. The upright form suits a matched pair at an entry, or an avenue at 5m to 6m spacing on acreage.

Growing white tamarind in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens are outside its range.

Soil. Deep, well drained soil with organic matter through it suits it best, in line with its rainforest origins. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound and mulch 75mm deep to the drip line, kept off the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep watering twice a week through the first two summers matters more here than with a potted plant, because an ex ground tree is rebuilding roots lost at lifting. Feed with a controlled release native fertiliser each spring.

Pruning. Very little is required. Lift the lower branches gradually if you want clearance underneath, and avoid hard cutting in the first two years while the tree re-establishes.

What to expect when it arrives

This is an ex ground tree supplied at 5.5m to 6m, field grown and lifted with a root ball rather than raised in a pot. You are buying a tree with a formed trunk and a real canopy on day one.

Expect some leaf loss after lifting and transport, and plan for staking, a prepared planting pit and consistent water through the first two summers. Trees are delivered Australia wide, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full ex ground tree range
• Compare Australian native trees
• Understanding tree maturity before you buy
• The best canopy trees for creating shade

Common questions

What does ex ground mean?

The tree has been grown in the field and lifted with its root ball wrapped, rather than raised in a container. It gives far more size for the money, in exchange for more care and water through the first two seasons.

Will it cope with frost?

Light frost only. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and is not a tree for cold tableland or inland sites where frosts are regular.

How is a tree this size delivered?

Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, using transport suited to the size and weight. Truck access, and often a machine to place the tree, needs sorting before delivery.