Small Leaved Tamarind

Small Leaved Tamarind (Diploglottis campbellii) is one of the rarest trees in the country and one of the more rewarding to grow. In a home garden it makes a dense, glossy rainforest canopy at roughly 8m tall and 5m wide, throwing genuine shade within a decade, and it carries tart red fruit that makes excellent jam, sauce and cordial. It is endangered in the wild, so planting one is a small act of conservation as well as a good garden decision.

Why you'll love it

• Edible fruit with real flavour. The red fruit is sharply tart, closer to tamarind than to citrus, and it cooks down into jams, sauces and drinks.
• A shade tree that stays manageable. It reaches 25m or more in habitat but settles around 8m to 10m in cultivation, so it shades a yard without dominating it.
• Australian native, and endangered. A subtropical rainforest species from eastern Australia, now rare in the wild.
• Birds work it hard. The fruit and the dense canopy bring native birds in, which is exactly what a suburban block is usually short of.
• It handles wind and humidity. Wind tolerant and comfortable in humid summers, so exposed subtropical blocks suit it.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Give it 5m of clearance from a house, a fence or paving, since the canopy spreads to about 5m. One tree shades an outdoor living area or a lawn corner.

Feature planting. The glossy compound leaves and rusty new growth carry it as a specimen, and cream and green flowers appear before the fruit sets.

Growing Small Leaved Tamarind in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with young trees preferring some protection while they establish. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens are not suitable.

Soil. Deep, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter, which mirrors the rainforest floor it comes from. Work compost through the backfill and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers, because this one does not enjoy drying out. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer supports both growth and fruiting.

Pruning. Very little needed. Remove the lowest branches to lift the canopy over a seating area, and shorten any competing leader while the tree is young. Be patient: it is naturally slow.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes: 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 45L and 100L specimens. The 200mm and 250mm plants are young seedlings, often knee height, and they are the sensible buy if you are planting a group or a shelter belt. The 45L and 100L trees give you height on day one and a shorter wait to shade.

Expect slow, steady growth rather than a rush, and several years before the first fruit. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to rare Australian native plants.
• Browse the full Australian native trees range.
• Compare other edible plants for the garden.
• See more feature trees.

Common questions

How big will it actually get in a suburban garden?

Around 8m tall and 5m wide over many years, well short of the 25m it reaches in rainforest. Allow 5m of clearance from buildings and boundaries and it will not become a problem.

How long before it fruits?

Several years from a young seedling, and longer again in cooler parts of its range. Buying a 45L or 100L tree shortens that wait considerably.

Will it grow in Melbourne or Adelaide?

Not reliably. It tolerates light frost only and belongs in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. In colder southern regions it needs a very sheltered, frost free microclimate to have a chance.