Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery

PIONEER PLANTS

A list of Pioneer Plants for the australia environment. 

Grevillea robusta - Silky Oak

Very fast growing slender tree with ferny foliage and bright yellow toothbrush flowers. Grows in a wide range of conditions including southern and inland areas. Good indoor plant.

Brachychiton populneus - Kurrajong

A hardy tree for drier sites frequently grown for shade or stock fodder. Trees have a straight stout trunk and produce cream flowers in spring. Indigenous Australians used the bark fibres to make rope and string, the wood was used for fire sticks. A common tree in drier rainforests.

Hovea acutifolia - Purple Pea Bush

A small to medium evergreen Australian shrub that gets small 1cm purple flowers in Aug to Sep. Leaves are green on top with a golden brown underside.

Flindersia schottiana - Cudgerie

Fast growing tall tree with large leaves and up-turned branches. Hardy in most conditions but prefers plenty of moisture. One of the best pioneer trees. A butterfly attracting tree.

Myrsine variabilis - Muttonwood

The muttonwood is a bird attracting shrub or small tree, it can grow to 15m in it natural state but is more commonly seen as a 2-3 m shrub in cultivation. It makes a fantastic screen with its bird attractind small blue fruits.

Rhodamnia argentea - Silver Myrtle

Small to medium-sized tree. Green glossy leaves with a dull whitish underside. Attractive black round fruits.

Warning

This species is susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)It has been observed in the field with moderate to severe damage and will require ongoing treatment to control the rust.  For more information follow this link.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust

Elaeocarpus grandis - Blue Quandong

A prominently buttressed based tree with an open layered crown. Birds and marsupials are attracted to the bright blue fruits that have a thin covering of flesh surrounding a seed that resembles a ‘brain’. Ripen August to January. 35m

Mallotus discolour - Yellow Kamala

Native to regrowth and rainforest areas form the Clarence River NSW to Townsville. A compcat admirable garden tree to 15 m with bright yellow fruits, can be used as a yellow dye.

Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Tuckeroo

An attractive, fast growing and hardy small to medium tree well suited to coastal areas. Good wildlife food source. Makes a excellent street tree or pioneer in reforestation.

Omalanthus nutans - Native Bleeding Heart

A shrub or small tree with soft green leaves above and grey/green underneath. The mature leaves often turn a dark red. The two-lobed bluish capsular fruits ripen from December through to March. 6m

Castanospermum australe - Black bean

An attractive tree with glossy dark green foliage and profuse flushes of yellow and red pea-like flowers during summer. The green seeds of the black bean pod are poisonous. The timber is highly prized. Bird attracting. 40m

Acronychia oblongifolia - Common Acronychia

A small to medium rainforest tree with striking bright white fruit that is produced during autumn and winter. A good food source for birds and can be eaten by humans, although they are quite acid. The leaves emit a pleasant smell when crushed. 12m

Stenocarpus sinuatus - Firewheel Tree

This beautiful tree is planted all around the world but is naturally endemic to the rainforests of Qld and NSW. The name Wheel of Fire comes from the red flowers that resemble a flattened wheel. The timber is used for cabinetwork. To 30m

Buckinghamia celcissima - Ivory Curl Tree

This tall shrub or small tree flowers in its third year. It is often grown as a street tree or specimen where its sweetly scented cream flower spikes can be appreciated. Retains its compact shape when grown in full sun. Frost tender when young.

Australian Daphne

Dense Evergreen small to medum tree with sweetly perfumed cream flowers september to november, followed by showy orange berries in winter. Shiny navy-margined leaves.

Sandpaper fig - Birds Eye

A outstanding selection of the native Sandpaper fig. Large, flavoursome, red fleshed fig. Heavy cropping and no splitting in wet weather. Ideal fig selection for wet coastal areas.

Syzygium luehmanii - Riberry

The small leaved lilly pilly produces masses of red pear shaped fruit. Its handsome purple-red growth makes this lilly pilly one of the favourites. The fruit exhibits a juicy but slightly acidic clove-like finish reminiscent of cinnamon. It is a very popular ingredient in wildfood dishes.

Lophostemon confertus - Brush box

These trees resemble a eucalypt in appearance but the large green leaves and flowers are distinctive. It has the largest trunk diameter of most rainforest trees. The showy flowers have showy white petals. Fruit is bell-shaped with three valves.

Scentless Rosewood

This is a very bushy tree used in regrowth areas. It features reddish-brown, fine and scaly and a distinctive aqua hue to some of the flakes. The trunk is often crooked. The red fruit is an important food tree for birds during the spring months.

White Cedar

Hardy deciduous native tree, suitable as a quick growing shade tree. The fragrant lilac flowers and yellow fruits of the White Cedar make it an appealing ornamental tree. It is poisonous to humans and dogs, but birds and possums are fond of the fruit. Semi-deciduous. 13m

Sandpaper fig

This small fig occurs along watercourses in Rainforest and open areas. An attractive tree with sandpapery leaves and edible fruit. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Very good for stream bank stablilisation.

Whalebone Tree

This is a graceful tree with weeping foliage that is commonly seen in warmer sub tropical, dry and riverine rainforests of NSW and QLD

Harpullia pendula - Tulipwood

An attractive spreading tree with glossy leaflets. Flowers are insignificant. Showy fruits occur during winer and are two-lobed, yellow or red with large black seeds.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Ehretia acuminata - Koda

Fast growing medium tree with scented flowers and golden-yellow bird-attractive berries. Briefly deciduous. Hardy.

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Lophostemon suaveolens - Swamp turpentine

Excellent farm tree for shelter and shade. Grows in most soils including swampy situations. Frost resistant. Older trees provide an ideal site for birds and wildlife shelter.

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | In Production |

Syzygium francisii - Giant water gum

The trunk is generally buttressed with a large diameter and the canopy can spread over almost the same distance as the height of the tree. Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental but too large for household plantings. 40m

Forestry Tube | $2.90 AU | In Production |

Alphitonia Petriei - Pink Ash

Very fast small to medium tree. Excellent pioneer species with open crown of rounded green leaves with silver backs. Bird attractive. Full sun.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Erythrina vespertilio - Batswing coral

Scarlet pea-flowers in spring occur usually when the tree is leafless. Birds are attracted to the showy flowers. 6 to 10 metres

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Brown Kurrajong

Small, fast, pioneer species with an open spreading habit and horizontal branches layered with white flowers in December. Very hardy, withstands full sun. Provides a useful shelter for more tender rainforest trees.

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Alphitonia excelsa - Red Ash

This tree is a natural coloniser in a wide range of conditions. Fruits are round and black and the mealy flesh encloses two hard capsules. These usually fall, leaving red seeds attached to the twigs for months.

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Hymenosporum flavum - Native frangipani

A fast growing, Australian native rainforest tree bearing terminal clusters of very fragrant, cream flowers that age to a golden yellow. Highly recommended hardy specimen tree.

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Queensland Hollywood

An attractive shrub with flowers regularly in summer. The leaves are a dull dark green with a pale midrib and maroon stems. Droplet-shaped fleshy, black fruits appear during winter and early spring, each containing several rounded yellow-spotted seeds.

Mega Tube | $9.90 AU | In Production |

Pencil Cedar

Mature pencil cedars are sparsely branched with an umbrella-type canopy of long leaves. Very fast growing with a year growth rate of up to 3 mts. A handsome foliage plant for subtropical gardens and useful indoor specimen when young.

Mega Tube | $9.90 AU | |

Polyscias murrayi - Pencil Cedar

Mature pencil cedars are sparsely branched with an umbrella-type canopy of long leaves. Very fast growing with a year growth rate of up to 3 mts. A handsome foliage plant for subtropical gardens and useful indoor specimen when young

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | In Production |

Native Olive

Bushy tree to 30m with a sparse canopy.The trunk has smooth grey brown bark.The blue-black fruit are oval, the fruit are bird attracting and the tree is an excellent butterfly host.  This is a fast growing pioneer species. 

Mega Tube | $9.90 AU | In Production |

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema - Tulip Satinwood

Occurs naturally North N.S.W. to South Qld in dry rainforests. A tree with attractive foliage, red flowers and brown berries. Paly yellow timber valued for cabinet work. Excellent landscape tree.

Forestry Tube | $3.90 AU | In Production |

Streblus brunonianus - Whalebone Tree

This is a graceful tree with weeping foliage that is commonly seen in warmer sub tropical, dry and riverine rainforests of NSW and QLD

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | In Production |

Pittosporum undulatum - Australian Daphne

Dense Evergreen small to medum tree with sweetly perfumed cream flowers september to november, followed by showy orange berries in winter. Shiny navy-margined leaves.

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | In Production |

Polyscias elegans - Celerywood

Elegant bird attracting tree. Fast growing and useful as a pioneer tree in regeneration

Super Tube | $4.90 AU | In Production |

Toona ciliata - Red Cedar

Fast growing decidous rainforest tree,  highly valued for its timber in earlier days. Has now become rare. With grow easily on moist soils of eastern Australia.

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Tristaniopsis laurina - Water Gum

An attractive tree with dark glossy leaves and a dense crown. As a name suggests it prefers wet areas in rainforests such as creekbanks. Water Gum provides food for the blue triangle butterfly. Fruiting occurs in Autumn.

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Ficus coronata - Sandpaper fig

This small fig occurs along watercourses along the east coast of Australia. An attractive small tree with sandpapery leaves and edible fruit. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Very good for stream bank stablilisation.

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Pipturus argenteus - Native Mulberry

This is an excellent tree for rainforest restoration as it attracts many birds and insects.  It has small, white edible fruits that are sweet and hold their seeds on the outside like strawberries.  Trees are dioecious, having male and female flowers on separate trees.

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Mallotus philippensis - Red Kamala

Common tree in regenerating rainforest areas, Very hardy tree to 10m. Suitable tree for reforestation purposes, expecially in difficult postions

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Syncarpia glomulifera - Turpentine tree

Ideal windbreak tree or excellant specimen for parks. Provides insect and water resistant timber.

Warning

This species is susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)It has been observed in the field with moderate to severe damage and will require ongoing treatment to control the rust.  For more information follow this link.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust

Forestry Tube | $1.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Native Mulberry

The native mulberry produces small, sweet, white fruits that hold their seeds on the outside like a strawberry. It naturally occurs in various types of rainforest north from Lismore to far north Queensland and west to Arnhem land. The tree is highly attractive to birds and insects making it an ideal tree for both bush food plots and rainforest regeneration plantings.  Trees are dioecious, having male and female flowers on separate trees.

Comments (3)^NEW | 140mm pot | $9.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Glochidion ferdinandi - Cheese Tree

Fast growing bushy tree with spreading crown of smooth shining leaves. Pretty foliage and red fruits shaped like miniature round cheeses that are highly attractive to birds. A hardy pioneer tree which looks best in full sun. 6 to 8m

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Melicope elleryana - Pink Euodia

 A fast growing rainforest tree with masses of pink flowers along the branches in summer, attracting many species of birds and butterflies. The eudia is the host tree for the ulysses butterfly and may flower when only a year old.

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Syzgium paniculata - Magenta Cherry

Most popular native hedging plant in Australia. Attractive dense glossy new growth. Also edible crunchy cherry like fruit.

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Cryptocarya laevigata - Glossy Laurel

A native rainforest shrub appearing in subtropical rainforests north of Lismore. A highly ornamental tree with dark, glossy foliage and bunches of small, yellow flowers followed by striking bright-red fruit.

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Flindersia brayleyana - Qld Maple

Medium to large handsome tree with compact crown and dark leaves. Hardy and fast growing. The attractive, figured timber makes it a valuable species for agro-forestry. Excellent tree for reforestation.

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Cryptocarya glaucescens - Jackwood

Medium to large tree with dense crown of dark leaves, paler underneath. Black wrinkled fruits are attractive to birds. Hardy in most areas, including southern Australia. Moderately fast growing.

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Macaranga tanarius

Very fast growing,vigorous tree for exposed sites. The broad heart shaped leaves are distinctive and ornamental. Suitable for shelterbelts, initial rainforest regeneration and as a background foliage plant in the garden.

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Neolitsea dealbata - White Bolly Gum

A striking feature of this understorey tree are the young white drooping leaves that are covered in dense rusty coloured hairs. Mature leaves are so glossy that the wax can be melted from the leaves under heat.

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Acronychia pubescens - Hairy acronychia

Fast growing and adaptable tree with broad, furry, trifoliate leaves, white flowers and clear yellow aromatic fruits with a sweet, refreshing and fragrent flavour. Prefers good soil and protection from frost.

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Acronychia wilcoxiana - Silver Aspen

Bushy small tree with dark, shiny leaves and pretty white edible fruit. Hardy in coastal areas in full sun, provided water is available.

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Alectryon coriaceus - Beach Alectryon

Shrub or small tree with bushy, light-green foliage, cream flowers and eye-catching, bird-attractive, red & black fruit. Hardy in coastal conditions and moderately fast growing.

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Alectryon tomentosus - Hairy Birds Eye

Medium sized tree to 18m with a spreading open canopy. An important food source for blue butterflies. Hardy.

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Blue Tongue

Widespread native, very attractive bushy shrub with dark green leaves and large pink to mauve flowers over many months. Also produces sweet edible blue black berries. Very hardy. Often confused with the exotic tibouchina.

140mm pot | $9.75 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Callicoma seratifolia - Callicoma

Attractive bushy tree. Masses of pale yellow fluffy flower heads in spring. A fast growing plant from the rainforest margins. The leaves have serrated edges and a bronzy colour.

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Cassine australis - Red olive berry

This is a handsome fast growing small tree frequently seen in suburban gardens. Trees are annually festooned with large quantities of the small bright orange fruits, which are a spectacular sight on mature specimens.

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Cissus antarctica - Water Vine

Great ground cover or screening plant that is very hardy, however looks its best when watered and feed well.Common food source for rainforest pigeons in late summer.

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Clerodendrum tomentosum - Hairy Clerodendrum

A fantastic pioneer tree that attracts bird, insects and butterflies.  It does require a shady moist position to look its best.  New shoots are tinged with purple and both the flowers and fruits are highly attractive. 

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Creek Lilly Pilly

Attractive small tree has the ability to survive in a wide range of habitats. The small white fluffy blossum are born in early summer with mass fruitings occurring in autumn every few years. Most hardy frost tolerant lilly pilly

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Euroschinus falcata - Ribbonwood

Medium to tall tree with handsome foliage similar in appearance to red cedar (Toona australis). Fast growing and hardy. A pioneer rainforest tree.

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Guioa semiglauca - Guioa

Common pioneer tree across the east coast. Makes a versatile fast growing, bird attracting tree for rainforest regeneration plots. Do not plant near dwellings as branches are brittle.

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Hibiscus heterophyllus - Native Rosella

Hibiscus heterophyllus is a tall erect shrub. The flowers have a large crimson central blotch and are up to about 15 cm across. The leaves are either narrow, broader or deeply lobed, up to 15 cm long. 6m.

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Pittosporum revolutum - Hairy Pittosporum

Also called the yellow pittosporum the shoots, leaves and flowers of this graceful shrub are all densely covered in rusty coloured hairs. The large clusters of yellow fruits are very rough or warty outside, and split into three. 3 to 8m

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Polyscias australiana - Ivory Basswood

Small erect tree, 3-8m, flower profuse tiny in very open greenish sprays, foliage is pinnate appearing almost palm like, interesting contrast in form, fast growing in sun no doubt slow in moderate shade, well worth trying.

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Rhodamnia maideniana - Smooth Scrub Turpentine

Native to Nth NSW and Sth Qld. It is rare both in the wild and in cultivation, this beautiful ornamental scrub prefers a semi shaded position in moist position. Striking bright red new growth and favourite to the birds.

Warning

This species is susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)It has been observed in the field with moderate to severe damage and will require ongoing treatment to control the rust.  For more information follow this link.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Rhodamnia rubescens - Scrub Turpentine

Variable in size from a large shrub to a medium tree depending on conditions usually a small tree. Interesting three-veined leaves, and orange to black fruit very attractive to birds. Hardy in full sun.

Warning

This species is susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)It has been observed in the field with moderate to severe damage and will require ongoing treatment to control the rust.  For more information follow this link.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust

Comments (1)^NEW | Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Rhodomyrtus psidioides - Native Guava

A small dense shrub, with white/pink flowers appearing in clusters in Spring or Summer. The leaves have a sweet, fruity smell when crushed and are unusally glossy below. Fast-growing and hardy in most conditions. Tolerate light frosts.

Warning

This species is susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)It has been observed in the field with moderate to severe damage and will require ongoing treatment to control the rust.  For more information follow this link.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Sambucus australasica - Native Elderberry

The native elderberry is an attractive graceful understory shrub seldom seen as a 10m tree.  The small yellow fruits are edible with soft, juicy, sweet flesh although they are a little bland in flavour.  It requires moist soil and some protection, in its natural habitat it is found along watercourses in warm temperate, subtropical and dry rainforest.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Synoum glandulosum - Scentless Rosewood

This is a very bushy tree used in regrowth areas. It features reddish-brown, fine and scaly and a distinctive aqua hue to some of the flakes. The trunk is often crooked. The red fruit is an important food tree for birds during the spring months.

Forestry Tube | $2.95 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

Tips on Pioneer Plants ^BETA

We welcome your Tips on Pioneer Plants. Share Your Tip.

Waterhousea floribunda - Weeping lilly pilly

OR waterhousia unipunctata which IS BEST for Brisbane?? | Ian Frew - Wishart, QLD 26-Mar-2008

Flindersia xanthoxyla - Yellow wood

I need to find out where I am going wrong. I have planted three of them back in February 2004 and they have hardly grown, they are now looking their worst. Any advice would be very appreciated. | Susan Young - Takura, QLD 24-Aug-2008

Toona ciliata - Red Cedar

There is a moth that attcks the Red Cedar's new growth- which forses the tree to fork. This makes them unsuitable to try and grow as a forestry tree for the purpose of harvesting the timber. They need to be grown under the canopy of larger tree's. | Paul Muller - Finch Hatton, QLD 26-Dec-2009

Native plant seedbank for CQ - Seed germination and storage
http://www.cqu.edu.au/seedbank

http://www.treeflights.com/ - Planting native deciduous trees to absorb carbon.

Updated: 28th of July, 2011 at 10:50am © Disclaimer/Privacy/Copyright