Water Gum Tree

The Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) is the Australian native tree councils plant when the site is difficult and the tree has to work: handsome, non invasive at the root, and tolerant of everything from waterlogged winters to dry summers. In gardens it grows steadily to about 8m tall and 5m wide, with glossy dark leaves, coppery new growth, distinctive mottled bark and clusters of small perfumed yellow flowers in summer that bring in the birds.

Why you'll love it

• Roots you can trust. Non invasive roots make it one of the safest natives to plant near driveways, paths, pools and plumbing, which is why it lines so many Australian streets.
• Handles wet and dry. Naturally a creek bank tree, it tolerates wet feet and poor drainage, yet copes with drought once established. Few trees cover both.
• A tidy, dense canopy. Naturally neat and rounded, it screens, shades and shapes well without constant intervention.
• Year round good looks. Glossy foliage, bronze flushes of new growth, summer yellow flowers and smooth bark that sheds to cream and tan patches.
• Genuinely national. Frost hardy, coastal salt tolerant and humidity proof, from cool temperate gardens to the subtropics.

Where it works best

Driveways and avenues. Its clean trunk, safe roots and moderate size make it the classic Australian avenue tree. Plant 3m to 4m apart for a formal run.

Screening rows. At 3m spacing a row builds an evergreen native screen with real height while staying dense to eye level, especially if tip pruned young.

Shade and feature planting. A single water gum shades a courtyard or lawn without lifting the paving around it, and takes pruning well if you want a smaller formal head.

Damp ground. Low spots and drainage lines that drown most trees are its natural habitat.

Growing the Water Gum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It thrives in subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate climates, takes frost once established and handles coastal exposure.

Soil. Almost anything: clay, loam, sand, wet or dry. Richer, moister soil grows a faster, lusher tree.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week for the first summer. After that it looks after itself in most districts, though summer water speeds it up. Feed with a native safe controlled release fertiliser in spring for the first few years.

Pruning. Optional. Tip prune young trees for density if screening, lift the canopy for a driveway, or leave it to build its naturally rounded head.

What to expect when it arrives

The water gum is grown in one of the widest size runs on the nursery: 200mm packs of 6 and 250mm packs of 3 for screen rows, single 300mm to 500mm trees, then advanced 25L, 35L, 45L, 75L and 100L stock, and serious 200L, 400L and 1000L specimen trees for instant avenues. A couple of the largest sizes are grown to order and show as backorder; we confirm timing with you first. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost with specialist transport quoted. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More trees for driveways and avenues
• Browse Australian native trees
• Trees with non invasive roots

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Moderate: expect around 50cm a year in good conditions, faster with summer water. The advanced sizes exist precisely so you can skip the waiting.

Is it safe near my pool or driveway?

Yes. Non invasive roots are the water gum's signature, and it is planted along streets and car parks nationally for that reason. Standard clearance of a metre or two from structures is still good practice.

Can I keep it smaller than 8m?

Easily. It responds well to pruning, and an annual shape after flowering holds it at 4m to 5m indefinitely, or as a fat hedge on a rural boundary.

Will it cope with my boggy backyard?

That is its home ground. It tolerates wet feet and seasonal waterlogging better than almost any screening tree we sell.