Moreton Bay ash

Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris), also known as carbeen, is a fast growing native shade tree with one of the most distinctive trunks in the Australian bush: a dark tessellated stocking of rough bark at the base that stops abruptly and gives way to smooth white limbs above. It reaches around 15m tall and 8m wide within ten to fifteen years. This is a tree for acreage, a paddock or a large block, not a suburban courtyard.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, quickly. Fast growth and a spreading crown mean useful shade over a driveway, a shed or stock within five to seven years.
• A trunk worth looking at. The sharp line where the dark tessellated bark ends and the smooth white trunk begins is unmistakable, and it improves as the tree ages.
• It handles the hard country. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant, wind tolerant and content in poor soil, so it performs where imported shade trees give up.
• Native habitat value. Clouds of white flowers bring in nectar feeding birds and insects, and mature trees develop the hollows local wildlife depends on.

Where it works best

Shade trees on acreage. The primary use. Give a single tree at least 10m of clearance from buildings, and plan on a mature spread near 8m so it is not fighting a fence line in fifteen years.

Windbreaks and shelter belts. On a rural block, plant 8m to 10m apart in a row. The tall open crown filters wind across a paddock rather than creating the turbulence a solid barrier produces.

Driveways and avenues. On a long rural drive, space trees 10m to 12m apart, which turns the white trunks into a rhythm along the approach.

Growing Moreton Bay Ash in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with as much room as you can give it. It is at home in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid districts. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting tablelands and cold southern gardens sit outside its range.

Soil. Adaptable, including sandy, gravelly and poor ground, provided drainage is reasonable. Dig a wide planting hole rather than a deep one, since eucalypt roots run laterally, and avoid rich fertiliser in the backfill.

Water and feed. Water deeply once or twice a week through the first two summers, then leave it to find its own moisture. Feeding is rarely needed, and heavy nitrogen produces weak, brittle growth.

Pruning. Formative pruning in the first three years is worth the effort: remove competing leaders and narrow forks, which is what prevents limb failure later. Beyond that, leave it alone and have high work done by a qualified arborist.

What to expect when it arrives

Moreton Bay Ash is grown in a single size, 45L. That is an advanced tree, typically well over head height with a formed trunk and an established root system.

A tree this size is heavy and is packed and moved upright. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Stake it for the first year against wind rock, and expect 1m to 2m of height a year once it is away. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best canopy trees for creating shade
• Compare the corymbia range
• Fast growing shade trees
• Browse Australian native trees

Common questions

How close to the house can I plant it?

Expect about 15m tall and 8m wide in ten to fifteen years, and taller again with age. The roots are vigorous, so keep it at least 10m from buildings, paving, pipes and septic lines.

Does it drop branches?

Like most eucalypts it sheds bark and small limbs, particularly in dry summers and after storms. Good formative pruning reduces the risk, and it is a reason not to site it over a parking spot or a play area.

Will it grow in a cool southern garden?

Only where frost is light. It tolerates light frost but not the hard frosts of the tablelands or cold inland districts, so gardeners there should look at a hardier eucalypt instead.