Mount Spurgeon Black Pine

Mount Spurgeon Black Pine (Prumnopitys ladei) is one of Australia's rarest conifers, known in the wild from only a few mountain tops in far north Queensland. In a garden it behaves as a slow, dense, dark green column of about 6m tall and 3m wide, despite reaching far greater heights in habitat. Growth is measured enough that it will live happily in a large pot for many years.

Why you'll love it

• A genuinely rare Australian native. Very few gardens have one, and it carries real interest for anyone who collects unusual plants.
• Slow and predictable. It will not outgrow the position you choose, which is the opposite of most conifers sold for screening.
• Fine, dark, soft foliage. New growth flushes bronze and hangs slightly before deepening to near black green, giving the tree a soft outline.
• Built for humid, windy sites. It handles subtropical humidity and exposed coastal wind without browning off.

Where it works best

Feature planting. A single specimen near an entry or in a courtyard is the best use, where its form and rarity are close enough to be appreciated.

Screening. Plant 2m apart for a dark conifer screen. Be realistic about the timeframe: this is a slow tree, and the screen is a project measured in years rather than seasons.

Pots. Its slow rate suits a large container for a long time, which makes it a rare conifer option for a courtyard or a roof terrace.

Growing Mount Spurgeon Black Pine in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with young plants preferring shelter from harsh afternoon sun. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and takes light frost only, so cold inland districts and southern frost pockets are not suitable.

Soil. Deep, free draining and rich in organic matter, slightly on the acid side. Work compost through the backfill and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. It does not like drying out, so water deeply twice a week through the first two summers and keep containers consistently moist. A slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Rarely needed. Tip prune lightly in spring if you want a denser habit, and avoid cutting back into bare inner wood, which does not reshoot.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown only in advanced 45L and 100L sizes, because the tree is far too slow to be worth selling as small stock. Both arrive as established plants with a formed leader and full foliage, and the 100L trees carry noticeable height on day one.

Conifers of this type travel well when packed upright and secured. Trees 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. Expect very little visible movement in the first year while the roots establish, then steady growth. Every tree is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full conifer range
• A guide to rare Australian native plants
• More exotic and rare plants
• Compare Australian native trees

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, which is the point of it. Expect modest annual growth in a warm garden with steady moisture, and considerably less in a pot or in a dry position.

Can I keep it in a container long term?

Yes. Its slow rate means a large pot will hold it for many years, provided the mix drains freely and never dries out completely.

Will it handle frost?

Light frost only. It is a mountain plant from the tropics rather than a cold climate conifer, so hard frosting gardens should choose something else.

How far apart for a screen?

Two metres apart in a single row. Given the growth rate, use the largest size you can and be patient rather than planting closer.