Alphitonia Excelsa Common Name: Red Ash Family - Rhamnaceae Description • Alphitonia Excelsa is a small to medium size tree with a branching canopy formation • Reaches a height of 15m and width of 6m • The tree is commonly found in dry sclerophyll forest and rainforests • Favours well drained soils and is highly suitable for erosion control areas • Fast growing ability, highly suitable for areas prone to coastal salty winds and drought condition • Prefers full sun conditions • Spectacular cream ‘petal-like’ flowers appear from summer to autumn • Ecological role provides a habitat for native birds (cockatoos) and the small green-banded blue butterfly • Round black fruit ripens from June to September • Distribution occurs from the coastal areas of WA across the top end of the NT, and along the coastline from Northern Qld to the southern coastal areas of NSW How to look after this plant • Prefers full sun • When planting tree into ground, dig a slow release native fertiliser (low phosphorous formulation) into soil to provide plant with essential nutrients, encourage healthy plant growth and increase flowering. Slow release fertiliser will generally last up to 6 months, reapply between 5-6 months to continue plant growth • Water every 2-3 days a week for the first month when planted. Cut back watering to once or twice a week after the first month (avoid over watering) • Lightly prune after the flowering season to increase the foliage growth • If soil is low in organic matter, dig compost into existing soil to develop valuable humus around your plant. • For clay soils, dig gypsum and garden soil into the existing ground to encourage drainage. • Once tree is established, plant will be capable of drought conditions • Dig hole for plant twice the size of the plant pot • Break up soil where root ball of plant will sit to allow room for roots to grow efficiently • Spread a 100mm deep layer of mulch around tree (keep a 150mm clearance around trunk) to prevent weeks and retain moisture within soil CALL 1300 325 519 VISIT US TODAY, CNR TANNUM SANDS AND DAHL ROADS, TANNUM SANDS, WWW.TANNUMBLUE.COM.AU.