Brisbane tree guide

Tree waratah

Alloxylon flammeum · also called Queensland tree waratah, Red silky oak, Pink silky oak

The tree waratah is a north Queensland rainforest tree grown for the bright red flower clusters that earned it its name, mostly in spring. In the wild it grows only in a small area around Atherton and is listed as vulnerable, but it has proved easy to grow in gardens as far south as Sydney. Brisbane City Council plants it as a street tree, where it stays at about 8 to 12 metres with a small crown.

Australian native
8 to 12 m tall
Flowers September to November

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Tree waratah, from Wikimedia Commons — Photo: Casliber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tree waratah at a glance

Height: 8 to 12 m (up to 33 m in the wild)
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Red, orange, September to November
Origin: Upland rainforest on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland
Power lines: Not on the council's list for under power lines
Family: Proteaceae

How to identify a tree waratah

An upright tree, about 8 to 12 metres in Brisbane streets, with glossy, narrow oval leaves 8 to 25 cm long. Young plants often carry much larger leaves that are deeply lobed. The new shoots, leaf stalks and flower stems are covered in rusty hairs. In spring, clusters of bright orange-red flowers up to about 7.5 cm across sit near the ends of the branches. Spindle-shaped pods 7 to 10 cm long follow and release winged seeds. Its relative the silky oak has fern-like leaves and golden-orange flower spikes.

Growing a tree waratah in Brisbane

Brisbane City Council includes Queensland tree waratah on its street tree list for creekside and arterial road precincts, including verges narrower than 2.5 metres, though not under power lines. Its small crown and modest height suit suburban gardens. Although it comes from upland rainforest near Atherton, it has been grown successfully as far south as Sydney, where it flowers reliably. It copes with a range of soils as long as they don't stay waterlogged, and survives long dry spells once established, though it then flowers less.

Pruning and care

Tree waratahs need little pruning beyond removing dead or crossing branches and lightly shaping young trees. Water young trees through dry spells, because drought cuts flowering, and keep the soil free-draining; mulch helps hold moisture. Established plants handle moderate frost, though heavy frost can damage them. Plants strike readily from cuttings of firm new growth if you want another one. Any large limbs near roofs or power lines are a job for a qualified arborist.

Tree waratah: your questions

Short answers, from the sources below.

Back to the tree guide

How tall does a tree waratah grow?

In Brisbane streets a tree waratah grows to about 8 to 12 metres with a small crown. In its rainforest home it can reach 25 to 33 metres.

When does the tree waratah flower?

Mostly in spring, sometimes into early summer. The flowers sit in bright orange-red clusters near the ends of the branches.

Is the tree waratah native to Brisbane?

No. It is native to north Queensland, where it grows naturally only in upland rainforest around Atherton, and wild populations are listed as vulnerable. Brisbane City Council plants it as a street tree.