Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Malus Crimson Knight Crab Apple is a striking deciduous ornamental tree prized for its spectacular display of large, deep crimson-red flowers in spring. Flowering generously before the foliage fully emerges, it creates a vibrant feature in the landscape and attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators. Forming a beautifully rounded canopy, Crimson Knight makes an excellent feature or shade tree and is equally effective when planted along driveways, fences, or walkways. New foliage emerges in spring with rich purple-bronze tones, maturing to deep green through summer before turning warm orange shades in autumn. Young stems and bark often display an attractive dark maroon colouring, adding year-round ornamental appeal.

Soil: Tolerates most soil types
Conditions: Thrives in full sun. Drought and frost hardy.
Size: Height 8m x width 4.5m.

Fraxinus americana White ash is a hardwood species native to North America. It is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree with nice canopy suitable for a shade cover. The foliage is a combination of dark green on top of the leaf and lighter green underneath. In autumn, leaves turn a range of yellow, orange or bronze autumnal colours. The tree is oval-shaped when young, becoming more rounded with age, with upright spreading branches. White Ash trees have male and female flowers on separate trees and only the female flowers develop into fruits. The tough, elastic wood has a pleasing grain and is used to make tennis racquets, hockey sticks, oars, furniture, interior floors and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat! White ash is suitable as a shade tree in a recreational play area, planted along a street, or used in a children’s, butterfly or native garden.

Soil: Grows best in organically rich, well-drained loamy soil.
Conditions: Performs best growing in full sun and although it prefers six hours of sunlight daily, white ash also tolerates some shade. Established ash trees are relatively drought tolerant.
Size: Height 18-24m x width 18-24m

Morus alba pendula Weeping Mulberry is a densely weeping grafted mulberry standard. Relatively fast growing it creates a waterfall of lush green leaves and pendulous branching that becomes gnarled and twisted as it matures. Flowers are insignificant but are followed by sweet mulberries that may be white and usually ripen through red to black around December. As a weeping standard, the pendulous foliage of this tree makes it a magnificent feature tree or centre-piece to a garden design.

Soil: Deep, fertile, moist loams.
Conditions: Full sun. Drought, heat, frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 3m x width 4m

Liquidambar styraciflua, or American Sweetgum, is a conical-shaped tree which becomes rounded with age. The leaves of the sweetgum are the main attraction of this tree with their star-shaped five points - which change colour to glorious shades of red, orange and purple during autumn. Flowers form in spring followed by spiky, woody, ball-like fruits which hang from the branches. Excellent shade, lawn or park tree. Must be planted in large area with room to grow.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Drought, frost, humid and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 21m x width 10m

Wisteria sinensis Alba - Chinese Wisteria - is truly stunning in flower with its divine flowers and perfume. In spring, it produces large spectacular sprays of fragrant, white flowers up to 45cm long before the foliage appears. The light green foliage cover is perfect for cooling summer shade and lets the winter sun stream through. Unlike most climbers, the wisteria is very woody, developing a true trunk with age, so it can be planted where space doesn't allow for a deciduous tree. It can be used for covering and beautifying garages, pergolas, arches, and fences.

Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained soil
Conditions: Choose a sunny location - at least six hours of direct sunshine per day. Frost hardy
Size: Height 6m x width 6m

Ulmus Frontier Elm is a hardy, disease-resistant, deciduous tree. Glossy green leaves emerge in spring to create a stunning upright shape, turning to vibrant shades of showy burgundy red in autumn before falling to the ground for winter. The elm tree would suit any large open space in the garden, paddocks, or parklands where it can spread to showcase its beauty. Ideal for avenue planting or on the north side of a building to shade in summer and let light in during winter 

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost, heat, pollution and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 12m x width 9m

The Satsuma plum is a small and attractive fruiting deciduous tree producing fragrant pink and white blossoms before the appearance of the fruit. The Satsuma is a gorgeous, red-purple freestone plum and the firm, juicy flesh has a sweet spicy flavour. Ideal for eating fresh, preserving and stewing. A mid-season variety harvesting in mid to late summer. Satsuma requires a cross-pollinator to bare a good fruiting crop. Pollinators: Santa Rosa, Mariposa, Ruby Blood, Narrabeen.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost, heat and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 4m x width 3m

Williams Bon Chretien is a deciduous pear tree with fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by very juicy, medium-large fruit. Pale green at picking and ripening to a clear yellow, the sweet fruit is ideal for use in desserts, preserving or eating fresh. The variety requires a cross-pollinator to bear fruit: suitable varieties include Beurre Bosc, Winter Cole or Nijisseiki

Soil: Well-drained, well-composted soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 4-10m x width 2-4m