STANDOUT TREES FOR A WARMER SOUTHERN AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE
05 Aug 2021
The evidence of a changing climate is overwhelming. As a leader in the growing and supply of advanced trees and a national advocate on material grown suitably for longevity in the landscape, Speciality Trees have always worked closely with science to better the tree.
From nutrient take-up, tree inoculation and tree development and selection, Speciality Trees consider all factors so what is grown adapts to temperature and the soil. This ensures it last years in the environment, meeting customer and community expectations.
On selection, they also look to develop better ways for buyers to recognise trees that will cope with a warmer environment, making tree selection easier. Some European trees, usually at home in the temperatures associated with a northern winter, will struggle going forward in Australia, but there are several selections that are better choices. Even this year, with the extremes experienced in temperature and water, some trees are already obvious warmer climate mascots.
Jacaranda mimosifolia. 
When asking the Speciality Trees team for relevant selections, Jacaranda stood out loud and strong. To their knowledge, they have not experienced such a growing year as 2021 for this species. Stock is thriving, which is a nod to their ability to tolerate (if not excel) in moderately warmer temperatures, as well as the out of character seasonal weather variations experienced of late. This popular specimen tree will feature well for the next 50 years.
Corymbia maculata ‘Lowanna’. 
Spotted Gum is another that appears to suit a moderate increase in temperature. While the parent species is able to grow 30m tall and is not suitable for urban landscapes, there is a more compact variety called ‘Lowanna’ creating quite a stir. Corymbia maculata ‘Lowanna,’ growing to 8m tall, displays all the iconic Australian native attributes of its parent such as a spotted trunk, dark foliage and pendulous dense canopy but with a more manageable height – a perfect selection for that urban iconic native feature tree.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon megalocarpa. 
This large fruited yellow gum is another suitable native for urban landscape projects. Growing to 8m tall, this form of Yellow Gum produces beautiful large bird attracting flowers. When the reliability of grafted flowering gums is in question and subject to variable planting success rates, this tree is a ready substitute for size and flower. Being able to handle a moderate increase in heat, its use as feature tree is expected to increase considerably going forward.
Pistacia chinensis. 
A deciduous colour favourite for many, the appeal of Chinese Pistachio is in its rounded form and stand-out autumnal colour. Big, brassy foliage in a range of golds, reds and oranges makes for a spectacular feature tree. Pleasingly it performs well in Southern parts of Australia as well as where temperatures are moderately higher, so this tree should remain firmly on your project planting list.
Melia azedarach. 
Melia is one of only a few deciduous Australian native trees in the marketplace. Its V-shaped form and pale bead-like fruits make it particularly pretty in cooler months when the berries are visible on bare limbs. At this point you’d almost think the tree was Asian in origin! Size and interest, together with a well-formed dense canopy provided in summer, have made it a popular feature and street tree selection. This tree is a climate ready selection beyond 50 years.
Tree selection that takes into account climate considerations is a difficult exercise without the guidance of experts in the field. Speciality Trees invite discussion on your specific project needs with the view of recommending the most suitable solutions, based on locality, climate and soil. Talk to their team of horticulturists today for personalised project advice.
