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We are frequently asked for guidance on suitable trees to plant on private property in response to conditions of permits or of climate change.

The trees listed on this page have been selected because they:

  • are indigenous to Boroondara
  • contribute to the character and heritage of our streetscapes, or
  • are resilient to the potential impacts of climate change. 

Small trees

The small trees listed below generally grow 10 metres tall. 

Genus species Common name Suitability
Arbutus unedo Irish strawberry tree Heritage
Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong Climate resilience
Callistemon viminalis  Weeping bottlebrush Climate resilience
Cercis canadensis Eastern redbud Heritage
Cupaniopsis anacardioides Tuckeroo Climate resilience
Eucalyptus pauciflora Snow gum Heritage
Eucalyptus torquata Coral gum Climate resilience
Fraxinus griffithii Evergreen ash Climate resilience
Hakea francisiana Grass-leaved hakea Climate resilience
Hakea laurina Pincushion hakea Heritage
Hymenosporum flavum Native frangipani Climate resilience
Koelreuteria paniculata  Golden rain tree Climate resilience
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei Crepe myrtle Heritage/Climate resilience
Magnolia soulangeana Saucer magnolia Heritage
Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp paperbark Indigenous
Melaleuca nesophila Showy honey myrtle Climate resilience
Parrotia persica Persion ironwood Heritage
Pistacia chinensis Chinese pistachio Heritage/Climate resilience
Prunus armeniaca Apricot Climate resilience

Medium trees

The medium trees listed below generally grow 10 to 15 metres tall.

Genus species Common name Suitability
Acacia dealbata Silver wattle Indigenous
Acacia implexa Lightwood Indigenous/Climate resilience
Acacia mearnsii Black wattle Indigenous
Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood Indigenous/Climate resilience
Acer rubrum  Red maple Climate resilience
Acer truncatum cultivars Shangtung maple Climate resilience
Agonis flexuosa Willow myrtle Climate resilience
Allocasuarina torulosa  Forest she-oak Climate resilience
Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping she-oak Indigenous/Climate resilience
Banksia marginata Silver banksia Indigenous
Banksia serrata Saw banksia Climate resilience
Brachychiton acerifolius  Flame bottle tree Climate resilience
Buckinghamia celsissima  Ivory-curl tree Climate resilience
Calodendrum capense Cape chestnut Climate resilience
Corymbia eximia   Yellow bloodwood Climate resilience
Eucalyptus salmonophloia Salmon gum Climate resilience
Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda Heritage/Climate resilience
Melia azedarach White cedar Climate resilience
Quercus phellos Willow-leaved oak Climate resilience
Stenocarpus sinuatus Firewheel tree Climate resilience
Tristaniopsis laurina Water gum Heritage/Climate resilience
Zelkova serrata  Japanese elm Heritage/Climate resilience

Tall trees

The tall trees listed below generally grow taller than 10 to 15 metres.

Genus species Common name Suitability
Angophora costata  Smooth-barked apple Heritage/Climate resilience
Banksia integrifolia Coast banksia Climate resilience
Brachychiton rupestris  Queensland bottle tree Climate resilience
Casuarina cunninghamiana  River oak Climate resilience
Cedrus atlantica ‘glauca’   Atlas cedar Heritage
Cedrus deodara  Dodar cedar Heritage
Corymbia citriodora  Lemon-scented gum Climate resilience
Corymbia ficifolia  Flowering gum Climate resilience
Corymbia maculata Spotted gum Climate resilience
Eucalyptus camaldulensis River red gum Heritage/Climate resilience
Eucalyptus gomphocephala Tuart Climate resilience
Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaved box Indigenous
Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow gum Heritage
Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow box Indigenous
Eucalyptus sideroxylon Red ironbark Climate resilience
Grevillea robusta  Silky oak Heritage/Climate resilience
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweet gum Heritage/Climate resilience
Lophostemon confertus Queensland brush box Heritage/Climate resilience
Platanus orientalis Oriental plane Climate resilience
Platanus x acerifolia  London plane tree Heritage/Climate resilience
Quercus canariensis Algerian oak Heritage
Quercus palustris  Pin oak Heritage
Quercus robur English oak Heritage
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress Climate resilience
Ulmus parvifolia Chinese elm Heritage

More information

Note that some species listed in these tables have varieties that may be smaller or larger than indicated. 

We recommend planting trees at least one or 2 metres from property boundaries, easements, services and structures (including paving, buildings, driveways, fences and retaining walls).

We also recommend consulting your local nursery, landscape gardener or arborist about the suitability of specific trees for your property and the best way to plant and maintain them.

For more information call us on (03) 9278 4444 or email [email protected].


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