The Turpentine Tree
A tall growing tree, Syncarpia glomulifera is commonly known as the Turpentine Tree. The common name comes from the smell the foliage when brushed against or crushed.
Reaching up to 50 metres in height, it is usually around half this when in cultivation.
Native to Queensland and New South Wales it is widely used as a windbreak and shelter tree. It naturally grows along the dividing range from southern New South Wales to Brisbane and a little further.
In landscaping it is used in parks and gardens, and commercially the timber is harvested for its durability.
Flowers in summer are small and creamy white followed by seed pods. Bark if dense, fibrous and string.
Key Characteristics & How to Recognise It
Bark & Trunk
- The bark is thick, fibrous or stringy, deeply furrowed, typically greyish-brown to brown or reddish-brown in colour.
- This deeply furrowed bark, persistent on trunk and branches, gives the tree a rugged, textured appearance that stands out — even in winter when leaves are less prominent.
Leaves
- Leaves are ovate to elliptic (or narrow-ovate), typically about 5–12 cm long and 2.5–4.5 cm wide.
- They grow in opposite pairs on the stems, but often appear crowded at branch-tips in what looks like a whorl of four.
- The upper leaf surface is dull to mid-dark green; underside is much paler, often covered in fine hairs (depending on subspecies).
- When crushed, the leaves release a distinct turpentine-like scent — a signature characteristic of this species.
Flowers & Fruit
- The Turpentine Tree blooms in spring to early summer (generally around September in its native range).
- It produces creamy-white or off-white “fluffy” flowers, typical of the Myrtaceae family.
- After flowering, the tree develops woody, compound seed-capsules which may remain on the tree for years.
How to Grow and Basic Care
A versatile tree that will grow in a range of soils as long as some moisture is available. It does have a large spreading canopy and a deep root system, so consider this befoe planting.
If you plan to plant Turpentine as a landscape or feature tree, here’s what to know about its cultivation:
- Soil & position: The tree adapts to a wide variety of soils — from sandy, well-drained to heavier clay or shale soils — as long as there is some moisture. It tends to do best in moist, fertile soils.
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade.
- Watering: Young plants benefit from regular watering during the first few summers. Once established, the tree is quite hardy — drought tolerant and low-maintenance
- Maintenance & pruning: Rarely requires pruning — the Turpentine naturally develops a strong straight trunk and high crown, making it low-maintenance once settled.
Best planted in slightly proved positions, in gullies or in a group of trees. In can also be used as a large feature tree.
Water over the first few summers, once established this useful tree is very low care.
As a Timber Tree
The wood of Syncarpia glomulifera is highly durable and termite-resistant. It has been used for applications such as— piers, wharves, flooring, poles, decking and other works requiring long-lasting timber.
Propagation
The method of propagation is from seed.
Summary Information
- Common Name – Turpentine Tree
- Botanical Name – Syncarpia glomulifera
- Soil – Well drained, moist.
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Foliage – Mid to deep green, large with undulating leaf margins.
- Flowers – Creamy white.
- Flowering time – Early summer to late summer.
- Growth Rate – Slow to start and then Medium.
- Height – To 50 metres, usually less
- Spread – Will form a crown of 6 metres plus
- Root system – Non invasive but deep.
- Frost tolerant – Light frosts only.
- Drought tolerant – Once established it can tolerate dry periods
- Pruning – Not required