Trees are one of the most valuable additions you can make to your home and garden. They are the most effective way to naturally cool your property, providing shade that can reduce heat and energy costs during warmer months. Trees also attract native birds and bees, improve air quality, and enhance the beauty and tranquillity of your outdoor space.
Whether you're planting as part of a planning permit or simply want to enhance your outdoor space, choosing the right tree can bring long-term benefits for your home, neighbourhood, and the environment.
Below are suggested tree species suited to gardens in Whitehorse – selected to help you make a positive, sustainable choice for the future.
Persian Ironwood - Parrotia persica
Category: Small (minimum 6m tall)
| Height: 7m Width: 5m Best feature: Drought tolerant. Great yellow to burgundy colour in autumn. Ideal for: Shade in a hot, urban environment where you would like something a little more unusual |
Trident Maple - Acer buergerianum
| Height: 9m Width: 6m Best feature: Neat form, drought tolerant. Beautiful bronze autumn colour. Ideal for: Small gardens where shade is a priority |
Forest Sheoak - Allocasuarina torulosa
| Height: Variable but likely to reach between 8-10m Width: 6m Best feature: Shivering sound of the wind through the leaves Worst feature: Seed cones from female trees may be a trip hazard over paths Ideal for: Low maintenance gardens |
Red Flowering Yellow Gum - Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. Rosea
| Height: 10-12m Width: 7-8m Best feature: Beautiful flowers that will bring lorikeets to the garden Worst feature: Grown from seed so can be variable Ideal for: Native gardens or where light shade is preferred |
Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia
| Height: 10-12m Width: 8m Best feature: Flowers Worst feature: Frost sensitive when young Ideal for: Larger gardens where it can spread wide |
Red Flowering Ironbark - Eucalyptus sideroxylon ‘Rosea’
| Height: 15-18m Width: 6-12m Best feature: This species is great for habitat for birds and invertebrates Worst feature: Does not like poorly drained soil Ideal for: Large gardens |
Yellow Box - Eucalyptus melliodora
| Height: 15m plus Width: 10m plus Best feature: Great for habitat Worst feature: Can be slow when young Ideal for: Larger gardens where wildlife is a bonus |