Small Leaf Tuckeroo

Small Leaf Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis parvifolia) is the tuckeroo for gardens that cannot house the full sized species. It settles at about 5m tall and 3m wide, holds glossy compound foliage all year, and shrugs off salt air. The finer leaf gives it a tidier outline than the common tuckeroo, which matters when the tree stands three metres from a window.

Why you'll love it

• It screens without taking over. At 5m by 3m it fills the gap between a hedge and a shade tree, so a suburban block gets height without losing the yard.
• Coastal ready. Salt tolerant and comfortable in humidity, so beachside and estuary gardens suit it where softer trees crisp at the edges.
• Roots that stay put. Non-invasive roots let you plant near paving, a pool surround or a boundary without watching for lifted concrete.
• Native, bird friendly and low fuss. Cream flowers give way to seed capsules the birds work through, and an established tree is drought tolerant enough to ask for little beyond a trim.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 2m apart in a single row for a dense screen. It holds its leaves through winter, so the screen works in the months you most want it.

Poolside and paved courtyards. Non-invasive roots and salt tolerance make it one of the safer trees near a pool shell. Leaf drop is gradual rather than seasonal, so skimming stays manageable.

Coastal and small gardens. The modest footprint suits narrow side boundaries, and single specimens shape well as a feature near an entry.

Growing Small Leaf Tuckeroo in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the densest canopy, and part shade is tolerated with looser growth. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It handles light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens should choose something hardier.

Soil. Not fussy about type provided the drainage is real. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound and work compost through the bed first. Mulch 75mm deep and keep it clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off; after two seasons it copes with dry spells alone. A controlled release native fertiliser in early spring and late summer keeps the foliage glossy.

Pruning. Tip prune from planting to build density low down, then trim a screen after the spring flush. To use it as a small shade tree instead, lift the lower limbs gradually over two or three years.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is grown in advanced sizes only: 45L and 100L. Both arrive as established trees with real height and a formed canopy on day one, which is the point of buying at this size for a screen you want working within a season rather than three.

Plants travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a settling fortnight, then new growth within six weeks in warm weather, backed by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the tuckeroo care guide for planting, feeding and pruning detail.
• Compare the 4m to 8m screening plants range.
• Browse salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Two metres apart in a single row. Closer spacing does not close the gap faster, and it makes watering and feeding harder once the canopies knit.

Will it stay smaller than a common tuckeroo?

Yes. In cultivation it settles around 5m rather than the 10m the species reaches in habitat, and the smaller leaf keeps it in proportion.

Can I grow it in Melbourne or Canberra?

Not reliably. It takes light frost only, so cold temperate and frost prone inland gardens sit outside its range.

Is it safe to plant near paving?

Its roots are non-invasive, so a couple of metres from paving or a boundary is fine. Allow for the 3m mature width.