Illawarra flame tree

How to identify an Illawarra flame tree

The leaves are big and glossy, roughly 12 to 20 cm long on stalks up to 20 cm, and vary from plain to three or five lobed like a maple; young trees often have deeply lobed leaves. Clusters of small, bright coral-red bells open at the branch ends, usually while the tree is bare. These are followed by leathery, boat-shaped pods around 10 cm long hanging on long stalks. The trunk is smooth and green to grey-green. The name flame tree is also used for the African tulip tree, a weed with compound leaves and large orange tulip-shaped flowers, so check the leaves if you are unsure.

Growing an Illawarra flame tree in Brisbane

This is a local: it grows naturally in south-east Queensland's rainforests and handles Brisbane's climate well. Brisbane City Council includes it on its street tree list for higher land and arterial road verges at least 2.5 metres wide, but not under power lines. It copes with a wide range of soils and does best in full sun with good drainage and some shelter from strong wind. Seedlings can take 5 to 8 years to flower, and grafted plants from good flowering forms bloom sooner.

What to watch out for

Hunter Water rates it a very high risk to sewer pipes, and its deep roots can clog drains, so plant it well away from pipes. Native plant growers also call it a poor choice for small gardens or close to houses because of the big woody pods and heavy leaf drop. The open pods hold seeds wrapped in irritating hairs, and insect-damaged pods drip a sticky gum that can mark car paint. Brisbane City Council doesn't list it for planting under power lines.

• Irritant sap or hairs. The seeds sit in a mass of irritating hairs inside the pods, so wear gloves when handling open pods.
• Mess. It drops large woody pods and a heavy load of leaves, and insect-damaged pods ooze a sticky mucilage that can lift car paint.

Pruning and care

Plant it in full sun with room to reach 10 to 15 metres, well away from sewer and water pipes. Water young trees through dry spells until established. Pruning is mainly about removing dead or damaged branches and keeping clearance over paths and driveways; heavy cutting is best avoided. Wear gloves when picking up open pods because of the irritating hairs, and avoid parking cars under it while pods are forming. Big limbs over a roof are a job for a professional with the right gear.

• Tree pruning
• Tree removal
• Stump grinding
• Tree health assessment