2020 Tree Guide

Metro Trees: 2020 Tree Guide Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd There are two sections in this guide: active and archived. The trees in the active section are trees that are currently grown throughout the year in our nursery. In the archived section are trees that we have historically grown. This guide is updated periodically through the year, so there is a possibility our Silvan nursery has some archived trees. If you have any questions about anything, get in touch with us. Phone: 03 9737 9188 Email: [email protected] Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd active trees Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Acacia implexa Family: Fabaceae | Common Name: Lightwood ● Typical mature height: in cultivation to 10m ● Useful in: streetscapes, parks, reserves ● Sites for best growth: tolerates many sites well Acacia implexa is often mistaken for Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), as the foliage is similar, and on young trees, the bark is almost identical. Lightwood is a summer flowering tree, while Blackwood is winter flowering. In Victoria, Lightwood is found in many locations, including the basalt country to the north and west of Melbourne. In these sites, Lightwood grows to a maximum size of 8m, and is an upright, small tree. Lightwood is grown in the urban environment because of its relatively small stature (especially when compared with Blackwood), strong wood, upright form when young, ability to grow on a wide variety of sites and excellent summer flowering. Lightwood has few problems, but can be troublesome if the roots are disturbed; if this occurs, Lightwood will sucker profusely. Acacia implexa will grow on many sites equally well. In nature, it is found on both very dry sites as well as on moist soils near streams. It seems that Lightwood will grow successfully in most any area, although best growth would be on the ideal horticultural soil—well drained, organic, and with fortnightly summer irrigation. Seemingly, Lightwood is adapted to more site conditions than Blackwood, and like Blackwood, will tolerate some shading. Nursery notes: In producing Acacia implexa, we have noticed that these trees are slow in producing vigorous root systems in containers. If planted out before September, you may notice these trees are somewhat loose-rooted. Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Allocasuarina littoralis Family: Casuarinaceae | Common Name: Black Sheoak ● Typical mature height: up to 8m ● Useful in: height-restricted areas, as screening ● Sites for best growth: moist-to-dry, well-drained A. littoralis is a native plant to the Melbourne region, growing in the eastern and southern suburban areas. This native range is quite broad, extending from the Merri Creek area south into Sandringham and other coastal regions. A. littoralis is named for its growth near the coast; this is both correct and mis-leading, as A. littoralis will grow very well both inland and in coastal zones. Black Sheoak is easily recognised because of its very short brachlets, typically 20cm in length and divided into very short segments (this contrasts significantly with the other cultivated casuarinas, such as A. verticillata). These branchlets are very fine, bright green, and contrast strongly with the black bark. The tree’s growth is upright, and A. littoralis will grow no wider than 4m; as a young plant, it will be about 2m wide. The flowers are showy, typically dark red in spring. A. littoralis will grow in any well-drained site, including those where summer irrigation is limited. Its growth is fastest where full sun is provided, and will respond well to irrigation during establishment. A. littoralis is relatively fast-growing for a small-statured tree, growing up to 800mm per year under ideal conditions. Black Sheoak should be more commonly planted as a street tree in Melbourne; it will give an informal, evergreen appearance to the streetscape, and should succeed where other, more-water-requiring selections will struggle. Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Allocasuarina verticillata Family: Casuarinaceae | Common Name: Drooping Sheoak ● Typical mature height: variable 5m to 10m ● Useful in: height-restricted poor soils ● Sites for best growth: most sites appropriate Allocasuarina verticillata is a round-headed, small-to-medium-sized tree that will grow in a variety of sites. It is well-known as a tree tolerant of sandy, dry soils, and coastal salt spray. Although known as a coastal plant, A. verticillata also grows successfully on the heavy, cracking clays near Bacchus Marsh. A. verticillata has been used extensively on difficult sites both in Australia and abroad. It is extremely heat-tolerant, and will grow, once established, with minimal additional irrigation. Trees in excellent condition show long, pendulous branchlets of delicate, grey-green foliage with a horizontally-striped trunk. These slow-growing trees become rounded balls of fine foliage with age (although coarser than other sheoaks), but as young trees they can appear very ungainly and sparse. In containers of whatever size, and until the tree is over 5m tall, A. verticillata looks poorly-grown, but this appearance will change with age. Metropolitan Tree Growers will be growing high quality A. verticillata to accommodate the market for this desirable plant. Nursery notes: A very difficult tree to grow in containers, frequently looking shabby if under 3m tall. Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Family: Myrtaceae | Common Name: Smooth-barked Apple Angophora costata ● Typical mature height: 20m ● Useful in: streetscapes, parks ● Sites for best growth: all with free drainage Although not an apple at all, Angophora costata is an excellent tree for public horticulture. A. costata originates in semi-coastal locations of Queensland through NSW and is typically found north of Sydney. In Victoria, we can find trees planted near 100 years ago, and still showing the fantastic bark and growth qualities that make this a favourite tree. A. costata grows in Victoria on many soil types, but will not tolerate waterlogging. It thrives on most sites, including fully coastal sites that have a high sand content. There are few pest and disease problems that are obvious with A. costata, and the tree is easily-grown in most streetscapes. In nurseries, A. costata can be difficult to grow. In Victoria, A. costata is notoriously difficult to germinate and grow on from seedling stage. A. costata is quite frost susceptible, and care should be taken with all trees planted in Victoria under 1m tall. Once the tree is taller than 1m, light frosts are not problematic, although A. costata is not recommended for Ballarat or the high country. Once in the landscape, A. costata will be trouble-free and give exceptional bark quality to any landscape. The bark is grey, flecked with dark red, especially in late winter. The tree grows quickly, and will form an arching canopy to 10m broad. The foliage is curved, and waxy, providing excellent contrast to the bark. The flowers are small, white, fragrant (although borne in masses) and the gumnuts are small and not problematic. From both design and functional aspects, Angophora costata is an excellent tree for parks, gardens and broad streetscapes. Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Family: Proteaceae | Common Name: Coast Banksia Banksia integrifolia ● Typical mature height: in cultivation to 15m ● Useful in: width-restricted areas ● Sites for best growth: most soils, both wet and sandy Although much of B. integrifolia’s native range occurs along coastlines, this plant will also grow in moist soils, as long as waterlogging is not long-term. When driving from Sale to Bairnsdale, B. integrifolia is a noticeable upright plant in the low-lying, swampy areas on either side of the road. Seemingly, B. integrifolia will grow in most soils, although compacted and high-clay-fraction soils may not be suitable for reasonable growth. As a young plant, B. integrifolia is extremely upright, no wider than 1-2m while 6m tall. As it ages, it will open slightly, but even when the eventual height is reached, many B. integrifolia will be less than 3m wide. This makes Coast Banksia ideal for locations where width is restricted. B. integrifolia grows best in full sun; in shady locations, it will grow towards the brightest area, giving it a leaning appearance. This is not the showiest banksia, but the best for urban use. The foliage is extremely thick and leathery, dark green on the upper surface and bright silver below. The flowers appear on 2-year-old growth and are up to 12cm long, and pale yellow. The seed heads are dark brown, and hold on the tree for many years (quite ornamental). B. integrifolia is an excellent upright tree that should be considered in many sites, especially where a narrow plant is required. It will grow well in any non-compacted, sandy soil, and will tolerate full coastal exposure well. Copyright 2021 Metropolitan Tree Growers Pty Ltd Banksia marginata Family: Proteaceae | Common Name: Silver Banksia ● Typical mature height: MTG provenances 5-8m ● Useful in: streetscapes, as display ● Sites for best growth: all well-drained, in full sun to semi-shade Banksia marginata is one of the most variable banksias found in south-eastern Australia: variable in habitat, from coastal to upland forests; variable in size, from 1 to 10 metres; variable in flowering, from elegant to stunted; and variable in geography, extending from central New South Wales through Victoria and Tasmania to central South Australia. B. marginata does have some characteristics found throughout the species: it always has finely-toothed long foliage with a dark green upper surface and a silvery reverse; it is not tolerant of high-phosphorus soils or waterlogging; and it tends to be tolerant of dry soils. In most situations, it can form a dense shrub that will flourish in full sun to semi-shade with flowering from early spring through to autumn.

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