FLINDERSIA australis (Australian Teak)

Australian Teak (Flindersia australis), also known as crow's ash, is a shade tree that will still be doing its job in fifty years. As a garden or street tree it settles at around 12m tall and 8m wide, carrying dense glossy foliage on a straight trunk. This eastern Australian native is supplied as a mature ex ground specimen, so you start with a real tree.

Why you'll love it

• Proper shade, not dappled light. A canopy roughly 8m across covers a lawn, a driveway or an entertaining area, and it holds that cover all year.
• A native that supports local wildlife. Cream and white flowers through late spring bring insects in, and birds work the canopy once it has size.
• Tough once established. Drought tolerant, humidity tolerant and wind tolerant, so a hot dry summer and a wet one both pass without drama.
• Slow growth is the point. It builds dense timber and strong branch unions, so it holds together in storms far better than quick growers.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Give it 8m of clear ground in a lawn or open yard, well away from the house. At maturity the canopy shades most of a suburban backyard through the middle of the day.

Driveways and avenues. Spaced 8m to 10m apart it forms an even avenue with a high canopy that lifts clear of vehicles as the tree matures.

Screening with height. A row of these screens an upper storey outlook rather than a fence line, so plant shrubs beneath if you also need cover at eye level.

Growing Australian Teak in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, in tropical, subtropical or warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland districts, the tablelands and cold southern gardens should choose a frost hardy native instead.

Soil. It wants depth and drainage above all else. Dig a generous hole, work compost through the backfill, and on heavy clay raise the planting level. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers rather than sprinkling daily, then taper as the roots go down. A controlled release native fertiliser in early spring is all the feeding it needs.

Pruning. Formative only. Remove crossing limbs while they are small and lift the lower branches gradually over the first few years to set trunk clearance.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is supplied at 5m, grown in the field and lifted for dispatch rather than raised in a pot. The root ball is heavy, so have the hole dug, stakes ready and access sorted before delivery day.

Expect a quiet first season while the tree rebuilds its feeder roots, with visible new growth from the second spring. Delivered Australia wide, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the rest of the ex ground tree range.
• Compare other Australian native trees for the same position.
• Read about choosing canopy trees for shade.

Common questions

How tall does it really grow?

In rainforest it can pass 30m, but in an open garden or street planting it typically holds at about 12m with an 8m spread. Soil depth and water do more to set the final size than anything else.

Does it drop much mess?

It does. After flowering it sets woody, spiky seed capsules that drop and need raking, so it is not the tree for directly above a pool or a seating area.

Are the roots safe near paving?

Give it room. This is a large forest tree, so allow several metres of clearance from slabs, pipes and boundaries.

What is ex ground stock?

The tree is grown in the ground on the farm, then lifted with its root ball for sale. You get far more size for the money than a potted equivalent, in exchange for a heavier delivery and a slower first year.