Kurrajong Tree

The Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) is one of the most reliable shade trees eastern Australia has produced: a dense rounded evergreen canopy to about 12m tall and 7m wide on a sturdy, often bottle shaped trunk. It is the tree for places where summers are brutal and rainfall unreliable, because once established it simply gets on with the job through drought, heat, frost and poor soil.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade in hard country. A full, poplar leafed canopy that stays green through dry spells that strip lesser trees.
• Survives almost anything. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and untroubled by poor soil or wind, from coastal districts to the inland.
• An evergreen native with history. A signature tree of homesteads and country towns across eastern Australia, and a proven fodder tree on farms.
• Bird attracting. Bell shaped cream flowers in the warmer months bring honeyeaters and other nectar feeders into the canopy.
• Low maintenance at scale. No regular pruning, spraying or feeding once it is away.

Where it works best

Shade and feature planting. Give it an open lawn, paddock corner or wide verge where the rounded crown can develop evenly. It casts shade dense enough to sit under in January.

Driveways and avenues. Its naturally symmetrical shape makes a handsome avenue. Allow at least 6m between trees so each canopy forms fully.

Windbreaks and farm planting. Tough enough for exposed paddock lines, and the foliage doubles as emergency stock fodder in drought years.

Growing Kurrajong in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in almost any Australian climate: subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean or semi arid. It is genuinely frost hardy once established, though young trees in cold inland districts appreciate protection through their first winter.

Soil. Any soil that drains, from sand to clay loam, including poor stony ground. The one thing it dislikes is permanently boggy ground.

Water and feed. Water deeply once a week through the first two summers to drive the taproot down, then leave it to its own devices. Established trees rarely need watering, and feeding is optional.

Pruning. Very little. Lift the lowest branches while the tree is young if you want clearance beneath, and leave the crown to shape itself.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Kurrajong from 140mm pots in packs of ten, ideal for farm rows and windbreaks, through 400mm pots, up to advanced 45L, 100L and 200L trees for buyers who want shade this decade rather than next. It is a steady grower rather than a sprinter, so the advanced sizes deserve serious thought for a feature position.

Young trees put early energy into the deep taproot, so do not be alarmed if height gain looks modest in year one. Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best trees for shade in farm paddocks
• Browse all Australian native trees
• More windbreak planting options
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens

Common questions

How close to the house or driveway can I plant it?

Keep it at least 5m from buildings, paving and underground pipes. The deep taproot is better behaved than a fig, but this is still a 12m tree and it deserves room to reach full size without conflict.

How fast does it grow?

Moderately. Expect a young tree to spend its first seasons developing roots, then make steady annual progress. For faster impact, start with a 45L or larger specimen.

Does it really handle drought?

Yes, exceptionally well once established. The swollen trunk and deep taproot store and reach water, which is why kurrajongs stay green in paddocks where the grass has given up.

Is it messy?

Tidier than most shade trees its size. Being evergreen it sheds leaves gradually rather than all at once, though seed pods do come down after flowering and are best raked from lawns wearing gloves, as the fine hairs inside pods can irritate skin.

Western Australia: this plant is listed as an environmental weed in WA, where it escapes from gardens into bushland. We do not recommend it for WA gardens. Please choose a local alternative.