Brisbane tree guide

Lacebark tree

Brachychiton discolor · also called Lacebark, Scrub bottle tree, White kurrajong

The lacebark tree is a native dry-rainforest tree of coastal Queensland and New South Wales that sheds most of its leaves, then hangs clusters of large, pink, bell-shaped flowers from its branches in late spring and summer. It grows 12 to 20 metres in Brisbane streets, has a compact root system and suits large gardens and parks. Its furry pods hold seeds wrapped in irritating hairs, so handle them with gloves.

Native to South East Queensland
12 to 20 m tall
Flowers November to January

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Lacebark tree, from Wikimedia Commons — Photo: SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lacebark tree at a glance

Height: 12 to 20 m (up to 35 m in the wild)
Growth: Slow
Leaves: Deciduous
Flowers: Pink, November to January
Roots: Gentle
Origin: Dry rainforest from Mackay, Queensland, to just north of Newcastle, New South Wales
Power lines: Not on the council's list for under power lines
Family: Malvaceae

How to identify a lacebark tree

An upright tree, usually 12 to 20 metres tall in Brisbane. The large leaves, 8 to 18 cm long on long stalks, are cut into three to seven pointed lobes like a maple leaf and are densely coated in white felt underneath; new growth is tinged pink. Young bark is smooth and green to grey, and older trunks become finely fissured in a lace-like pattern. Pink bells 4 to 6 cm long, furry on the outside, open in clusters near the branch ends, often while the tree is leafless. Furry brown pods 10 to 20 cm long follow. The related Illawarra flame tree has red flowers instead.

Growing a lacebark tree in Brisbane

Lacebark grows naturally in dry rainforest from Mackay to just north of Newcastle, so it is well suited to Brisbane's climate. Council plants it on arterial road medians and roundabouts where verges are wider than 5 metres, though not under power lines. It takes clay, loam or sand, copes with drought once established and grows slowly. The Botanic Gardens of South Australia notes a compact root system that lets it be grown near infrastructure such as pools, but it still needs room for a crown that Council rates as medium-sized.

What to watch out for

The seed pods are the main nuisance: the seeds sit in a mass of fine, irritating hairs, so wear gloves when handling open pods and keep children from playing with them. The tree drops most of its leaves just before flowering. It becomes a big tree, 12 to 20 metres in Brisbane streets and up to 35 metres in rainforest, so plant it where it has room. It isn't on Brisbane City Council's weed list.

Irritant sap or hairs. The seeds inside the pods are surrounded by irritating hairs, so wear gloves when handling or collecting them.

Pruning and care

Little pruning is needed. Shape young trees to a single trunk, remove dead or crossing branches, and lift low limbs if you need clearance underneath; large limbs are a job for a qualified arborist. Although it tolerates drought once established, it does better with extra water during long dry spells, especially while young. Wear gloves when picking up fallen pods, because the hairs around the seeds irritate skin. Expect it to drop most of its leaves just before it flowers.

Lacebark tree: your questions

Short answers, from the sources below.

Back to the tree guide

When does the lacebark tree flower in Brisbane?

From late spring into summer. It usually drops most of its leaves just before flowering, so the pink bells stand out on bare branches.

How tall does a lacebark tree grow?

Brisbane City Council's street tree list gives 12 to 20 metres. In its native rainforest it can reach 30 to 35 metres.

Are lacebark tree roots invasive?

Not according to the sources we checked. The Botanic Gardens of South Australia says its compact root system suits street planting and spots near infrastructure such as swimming pools.

Is the lacebark tree native to Brisbane?

Yes. It grows naturally in dry rainforest from about Mackay in Queensland to just north of Newcastle in New South Wales, a range that takes in south-east Queensland.