Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Sep 06, 2010 9:12 pm Hi guys, I am wanting to put a nice tree in our front yard but do not know what to get. The front of house is South facing and only get's the afternoon sun and we live in Melbourne. I don't something that is going to grow huge but more of a ornamental tree. Please let me know your ideas and photos would be great. Re: Which tree??? 2Sep 06, 2010 9:17 pm What size is the space KGJB? How much sun would it get from spring through to mid autumn? I'm thinking an ornamental pear (which are deciduous, ergo sun in winter isn't too important) check here for varieties with photos.. http://www.flemings.com.au/ornamental_l ... iety=Pyrus Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Which tree??? 3Sep 06, 2010 9:24 pm Ornamental Cherry?? Take a walk around the suburbs and take notes of what working in a similar position I am way out of my depth with this one I went outside once. The graphics were alright, but the gameplay sucked! Settlement:22nd June Slab:27th August Frame:16th Sept Bricked:21st Oct Roof:24th Nov Linings HANDOVER23rd March! Re: Which tree??? 4Sep 06, 2010 10:37 pm Really depends what your looking for. Deciduous trees, obviously lose their leaves in winter and will bloom again in spring (and repeat this cycle!). Evergreen, as the name says, stays green all year... Ornamental pears are popular, I have one in my front yard, and its nice, but the flowers are stinky in spring... I'm a big fan of using fruit trees as ornaments, alot of fruit trees look great (i love plum trees) and they will attract birds and give you fruit. You can prune them to keep a shape or you can just let them go crazy. It really depends what you want... The possibilities are endless. My lime tree smells great and looks nice when pruned. I could go on and on and on. First thing you need to do is find out what soil type you have and get a tree that will cope well in that condition. Then work out how much sun will benifit the tree. We can get some serious cold weather in winter in melbourne, and some big frosts, as well as heavy winds...Cherry blossoms are great, but get a fruit bearing one if you decide...you may not get fruit for a few years but atleast it will be of benfit. Cherry trees need a really cold winter to get fully dormant and then bear fruit...so melbourne is good for it... If you have a heavly clay soil, look at improving it or getting a tree to suit. Stone fruit is good in clay soils, but always try and improve the soil....but you could be in one of the burbs that is blessed with black gold! Re: Which tree??? 5Sep 07, 2010 8:24 am If you do decide on a fruiting cherry have a look at the "Stella"variety.. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Which tree??? 6Sep 07, 2010 8:40 am Depends on where you are in Melbourne. The fruiting cherries and other deciduous fruit trees that have high chill hours and will only go well in the outer suburbs, eg 15-20k's from cbd. Near the bay/cbd and there is only a few light frosts at best. Melbourne's winters i wouldn't consider seriously cold unless you are on the outer edge. If you go with a deciduous fruit tree go with a "low chill hours" requirement. You might also be able to get a jap maple growing well if its out of the northerly wind. Weeping birch are quite nice. Crepe myrtel. Deciduous Magnolia, you will see them in full flower atm. Re: Which tree??? 7Sep 07, 2010 12:56 pm Whilst Ornamental Cherries and Jap Maples are pretty, are they going to cut it in the long term in Melbourne? Melbourne used to be the garden state. Now you have far less water. Melbourne's climate is becoming far more Mediterranean, just Like Perths. And if you think the winter you are having right now says otherwise, think again! It is the very winter we get year after year after year. Strong fronts and lots of rain. You stole our winter this year We got nothing So when choosing feature trees, lets think ahead. Manchurian Pear will be good and handle the dry a bit better than Cherries. Chinese Tallow will also take a fair hit once established. Magnolia Kay Paris and Little Gem. Frangipani if you want to have a go at something different (might not work with the cold, but worth a go ) Feijoa sel. (Pineapple Guava) yum and pretty No shortage of beautiful dwarf Mallee Eucalypts like E. Ceasia (Silver Princess), Victrix (Coolabah- small in the south , big in Pilbara ) torquata, platypus hetrophylla, ficifolia, erythrocorys, Agonis flexuosa Acacia leprosa Of course, an Olive Just a few off the top of my head. There are loads more others of course. Just tougher species for the future is the way too think. Not pretty dainty things that may not go so well in the climate you have in 5 years or 10 years Re: Which tree??? 9Sep 16, 2010 4:26 pm If it is a South side it will probably not get a huge amount of full sun. Most fruit trees really like full sun. Why not look at trees which will cope in semi-shade such as Camellias, Hydrangeas and Rohododendrums, or even Avocados, as they are supposed to grow where Camellias will. If going for Avocados get one which is grafted onto cold tolerant rootstock (Bacon or Wurtz??? I think are cold tolerant) Diggers have grafted Avocados. Blueberries cope in part sun, and some types grow to about 2mtr, but they can be fussy to get started. And then there is always ferns, and there would be shade tolerant natives Re: Which tree??? 10Jan 13, 2011 10:16 pm is there a website somewhere that lists which tree is suitable for which soil? thanks. Oxford 22 @ Stage12a Point Cook Site Cut : 05/03/2010 Slab Pour : 24/03/2010 Frame Inspected : 06/04/2010 Pre-plaster Inspection: 22/04/2010 PCI: 16/07/2010 Final Inspection: 30/07/2010 Landscaping: who knows??? MyHomeoneThread Our Oxford22 Blog Re: Which tree??? 11Jan 14, 2011 12:07 am Flame tree. Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) Grows to about 10 - 12 meters max in Melbourne. More likely 8 http://www.flickr.com/photos/97974874@N00/2083080018 There is an example in the Fitzroy Gardens near Swanston Street and Spring street. http://www.fitzroygardens.com/largeimag ... folius.jpg The paper bark behind it is only 5 meters so this one is 8 and mature. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ie ... 1&t=h&z=20 left of the palm - lighter green than the English Elm tree north of it. More images http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackdiamo ... 205703423/ @ Fu Native Frangipani? Frangipani grow well in Melbourne but start slow (Although they flower regardless). In full sun they grow out and spread. In Half shade they do what they are programed to do, reach for the light. If you have these against a wall of a tall building they will grow to that hight. Example = NMIT Preston. They are sticks up to 20 meters. Don't let this put you off, they are not intrusive and are easily pruned if it needs it. Most take 60 years to get that big. The ones at NMIT were planted in the 60's. (It was a collage back then). My parents have one we transplanted. Its only 5 meters and looks like remaining no higher than 8 meters. Its a nice shade tree and has plenty of scent in spring, tolerated the drought with ease (so did mine). Re: Which tree??? 12Jan 14, 2011 7:09 pm that flame tree looks gorgeous redman.. will add to the shortlist... @Fu and other, any suggestion for fruit trees? the front yard is pretty much the same as that of KGJB, south facing.. thanks.. Oxford 22 @ Stage12a Point Cook Site Cut : 05/03/2010 Slab Pour : 24/03/2010 Frame Inspected : 06/04/2010 Pre-plaster Inspection: 22/04/2010 PCI: 16/07/2010 Final Inspection: 30/07/2010 Landscaping: who knows??? MyHomeoneThread Our Oxford22 Blog Hello. I just bought a few acres in Habana, Mackay, and my horses seem to love hanging around under this tree. I would like to name the paddock after this tree. Can… 0 9961 Fellow Perth dweller. Looks like pruns nigra. It's a dark leaf flowering plum. Doesn't get massive and is easily trimmed deciduous tree. Very popular in small gardens in Perth 7 3190 |