Flindersia trees and species
Flindersia are a group of rainforest trees, large growing to 40m plus. widely found through Queensland where they grow on the fringes of the rainforest. Used widely for revegetation.
With 15 + species they are named after the explorer Matthew Flinders. Tall growing and with high quality wood these are large trees not overly suited to urban areas. They do make a good specimen tree for a very large garden or park and some excellent examples can be found in the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane.
Fluffy white flowers in spring followed by large attractive seed pods.
Flindersia species
- F. australis is known as the ‘Australian Teak’ and is grown as a timber tree and is sometimes referred to as the Australian Teak or Crow Ash. With the ability to cope with dry conditions as well as wet or inundated soils this makes an excellent shade tree.
Reaching around 15m – 20 m in height with a broad crown to around 8m on maturity Flindersia Australis will form a buttressed root system over time.
Very attractive to native birds and an excellent tree for parks, and larger gardens. Under good conditions growth rates are medium, generally regarded as slow growing. - F. brayleyana is referred to as ‘Queensland Maple’ and does require a frost free environment
- F. schottiana is ‘Bumpy Ash’ is slow growing, however will withstand light frosts and slightly lower rainfall.
- F. bourjotiana is Silver ash or Queensland silver ash.
- F. zanthoxyla is slower growing than others and does cope in lower rainfall areas. Prized for its dense yellow timber.
- F. collina is also known as the Leopard Tree, regarded as slow growing and reaching around 12 – 15m in height this species grows well in poorer soils and makes a good shade tree for difficult situations.
- F. xanthoxyla, also known as Long Jack, faster growing than others and another good shade tree.
Flindersia can be pruned, however this is usually limited to removing the lower branches as the tree matures.
Landscaping Uses
Some are used as street trees, although they can produce woody fruits that drop so position away from foot traffic may be considered desirable. All are long lived and generally not suited to planting beneath power lines due to potential height.
Where To Buy
"Propagation and Production of Native and Exotic Trees
with Natural Root Systems from 2 to 2,000 lts."
www.njrivett.com.au