Apple Box

Apple Box (Eucalyptus bridgesiana) is the classic spreading paddock tree of south eastern Australia, growing to about 12m tall with a broad 8m crown. Young growth is soft grey green and rounded, which sets it apart from the narrow leaved gums. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and content in poor soil, it is a tree for open ground rather than a suburban courtyard.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, quickly enough to matter. The crown spreads wider than most eucalypts of this height, giving stock and lawn genuine cover rather than dappled light.
• Handles cold and dry. Frost hardy and drought tolerant, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate, arid and semi-arid districts alike.
• Character in the trunk. Rough grey bark on the trunk and lower limbs against smooth pale branches above gives it presence with no flowers required.
• Works for wildlife. Cream blossom draws honeyeaters, native bees and butterflies, and older trees develop the hollows small birds nest in.

Where it works best

Shade tree on acreage. This is its natural job: a single tree in a paddock or large lawn, given at least 10m of clear space so the crown can spread the way it wants to.

Windbreaks and shelter belts. Set trees 8m to 10m apart in a row along a boundary. Wider spacing than that leaves gaps at ground level once the trunks clear.

Growing Apple Box in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and an open site. It is genuinely frost hardy, so cold tablelands and inland districts suit it, and it copes with heat and dry spells once established. What it will not accept is crowding or shade from taller trees.

Soil. Poor soil is not a problem. It grows on thin, gravelly and compacted ground where more demanding trees stall, provided water is not sitting around the roots. Skip soil improvement and plant straight into the native profile.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then leave it alone. Established trees rarely need irrigation. Feeding is unnecessary and heavy nitrogen only produces weak growth that breaks in wind.

Pruning. Remove competing leaders in the first few years to build one strong trunk, then leave it alone. Like most large eucalypts it sheds bark and the occasional small limb.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 45L and 100L sizes. A 45L tree is the practical choice for planting numbers: cheaper, lighter to handle, and it catches a larger tree within a few seasons. The 100L suits a single feature where you want immediate height.

Trees are staked and packed to travel upright. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, delivered Australia wide with delivery from $29.95. Expect little visible growth in the first few months while roots establish, then a strong flush in the second spring. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Best trees to plant in farm paddocks for shade
• Compare Australian native trees
• Plants suited to windbreaks and shelter belts
• Advanced trees for immediate height

Common questions

How much room does it need?

Allow at least 10m clear in every direction. The crown reaches about 8m across and the roots extend well beyond that, so it is a poor fit for a standard suburban block.

Will it survive frost?

Yes. It is frost hardy and native to cold tableland country, so heavy winter frost does not trouble an established tree. Young plants benefit from a guard through their first winter.

How fast does it grow?

Moderate rather than fast, which is a fair trade for a stronger framed tree. Expect useful shade in five to eight years with water through the first two summers.

Can I plant it near the house?

Not recommended. Mature eucalypts of this size shed bark and small limbs, and the root spread can lift paving. Keep it at least 15m from buildings, driveways and services.