Brachychiton Acerifolius - Illawarra Flame Tree Tubestock | Native Tree Seedling

Brachychiton acerifolius – Illawarra Flame Tree

Description:
A spectacular Australian native tree renowned for its brilliant display of bright red to scarlet flowers, which often appear when the tree is partly or completely bare of leaves. Native to the rainforests and subtropical forests of eastern Australia, it is a fast-growing, distinctive tree with a strong, upright form and attractive lobed leaves. Flowering is particularly striking in spring to early summer, with flowers followed by woody boat-shaped seed capsules containing hairy seeds. Its flowers provide an important nectar source for birds, bees, and other pollinators. The Illawarra Flame Tree is widely valued as a feature and shade tree in parks, gardens, streetscapes, and larger native landscapes.

🌳 Height:
10–20 m, occasionally up to 30 m in favourable conditions

🌿 Width:
6–10 m spread

🔧 Uses:

• Feature and specimen tree

• Shade tree for gardens, parks, and larger landscapes

• Street and streetscape planting

• Wildlife habitat and food source

• Nectar source for birds, bees, and other pollinators

• Native revegetation and habitat restoration

• Rainforest and subtropical landscape planting

• Large-scale residential and rural landscaping

• Provides seasonal colour and visual interest

🌱 Ideal growing conditions:

• Well-drained, fertile soils

• Loamy, sandy, or clay soils with good drainage

• Full sun to partial shade

• Moderate moisture during establishment

• Warm temperate, subtropical, and frost-free environments

• Sheltered locations with adequate space for mature growth

💪 Tolerates:

• Short periods of dry conditions once established

• A range of well-drained soil types

• Urban conditions when adequately watered

• Heat

• Partial shade, particularly when young

• Moderate wind when established

• Mild coastal conditions

💧 Drought hardy:
Moderate — reasonably tolerant once established, but performs best with reliable moisture and may lose its leaves during extended dry periods

❄️ Frost tolerant:
Low to moderate — young trees are sensitive to frost; established trees can tolerate light frosts, particularly in sheltered locations

🧂 Salt tolerant:
Low to moderate — not suited to highly saline soils or severe coastal salt exposure