Deep Yellow Wood

Deep Yellow Wood (Rhodosphaera rhodanthema) is an Australian rainforest tree that behaves itself in a suburban garden. In cultivation it settles at around 10m tall and 6m wide, well short of the 25m it reaches in the wild, and it holds a dense evergreen canopy that casts genuine shade. New growth flushes bronze pink, and sprays of small flowers bring birds through the garden.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade from a native. A dense rounded canopy about 6m across, evergreen, so the shade is there in summer when it counts.
• Bronze pink new growth. Each flush of leaves comes through coloured, giving the tree a second season of interest beyond flowering.
• It stands up to weather. Wind tolerant, humidity tolerant and drought tolerant once established, a useful combination on an exposed block.
• It brings birds in. The flowers and fruit feed native birds, so a single tree changes what visits the garden.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Give it 6m of clearance from a building or boundary and it becomes the tree the garden is planned around, in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate districts.

Driveways and avenues. For an avenue, space trees 8m to 10m apart so each canopy develops its full rounded shape without crowding its neighbour.

Feature planting. A single specimen on a large lawn shows the layered canopy and the coloured new growth to best effect.

Growing deep yellow wood in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and handles coastal humidity well. It takes light frost only, so cold inland and southern districts are outside its range.

Soil. Deep, well drained soil with organic matter suits a rainforest tree best. It is adaptable, but on heavy clay improve the bed and mound the planting hole. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soakings twice a week through the first two summers build the root system that makes it drought tolerant later. Feed with a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer while it is young.

Pruning. Little is needed. Remove crossing branches while the tree is young, and lift the lower limbs gradually if you want clearance beneath. Avoid heavy cuts into mature wood.

What to expect when it arrives

This tree is grown in 45L, 100L and 400L sizes, so you are buying an established tree rather than a seedling. A 45L plant is usually around 1.5m to 2m and the easiest to handle and plant yourself. The 100L is a solid semi advanced tree, and the 400L is a genuine instant specimen for a landscape project, moved by specialist transport.

Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and plants are delivered Australia wide with delivery from $29.95. Expect a quiet first season while the roots go down, then steady growth. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the Australian native tree range
• Choosing a canopy tree for shade
• Advanced trees for instant impact
• Trees that suit a driveway or avenue

Common questions

How big does it really get in a garden?

Around 10m tall and 6m wide over many years. The 25m figure comes from mature rainforest, where competition drives trees upward; open garden conditions produce a shorter, broader tree.

How close can I plant it to the house?

Allow at least 6m, matching the mature canopy width, and more if you want to walk or park beneath it. It is a large tree and deserves the space.

Is it fast growing?

Moderate rather than fast. Expect slow progress in the first year while it establishes, then reliable growth in warm, well watered conditions.

Will it cope with frost?

Light frost only, and young trees are the most vulnerable. In areas with regular hard frost, choose a hardier native shade tree instead.