Jacaranda tree

How to identify a jacaranda

A spreading tree with an umbrella-shaped crown, usually 10 to 15 metres tall and about as wide. The leaves are soft and fern-like, up to about 33 cm long, with dozens of tiny pointed leaflets set in opposite pairs. In spring, loose clusters of tubular lilac-blue to purple flowers with a pale throat cover the canopy. Round, flat, woody pods up to about 8 cm across follow and split to release winged seeds. Young bark is smooth and turns finely scaly with age. Poinciana also has feathery leaves, but its flowers are red and come in summer. Tipuana, sometimes called yellow jacaranda, has yellow flowers.

Growing a jacaranda in Brisbane

Brisbane's jacarandas go back to 1864, when the species arrived at the City Botanic Gardens; that tree was probably the first grown in Australia. The warm climate suits it, and most trees bloom from about mid-October into early November. It wants full sun and well-drained soil. Council still plants it in some streets, though not under power lines or within a kilometre of environmentally sensitive areas. Seedlings escape into open woodland and along creeks, which is why Council also lists it as pest vegetation.

What to watch out for

Brisbane City Council lists jacaranda as pest vegetation because its seed sprouts easily and seedlings spread into bushland, often along creeks. The roots spread widely: Unitywater lists jacaranda among trees not to plant near water and sewer pipes, and roots can lift paths and fences in some soils. The wood is soft and brittle, so twigs and small branches snap in strong winds. Fallen flowers turn slippery when wet and clog pool filters, and dropped leaves can block gutters.

• Seedlings. Seed sprouts readily and can form thick clumps of seedlings under the tree that spread into bushland.
• Brittle branches. The wood is soft and brittle, so twigs and small branches can snap off in strong wind.
• Mess. Fallen flowers turn slippery when wet and clog pool filters, and shed leaves can block gutters.

Pruning and care

Jacarandas look best with little or no pruning. Cutting branches back makes the tree push up stiff vertical shoots that spoil its umbrella shape, and once that starts the only fix is to keep removing them. Limit work to dead, damaged or hazardous branches, and leave big limbs over the house or near power lines to a qualified arborist. Water young trees through dry summers, keep mulch no deeper than about 5 cm and spread it over moist soil, and pull out seedlings while they are small.

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