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Brachychiton acerifolius – Illawarra Flame Tree

$6.00 – $10.00

Illawarra Flame Tree ( Brachychiton acerifolius ) is a flowering Australian tree, that is native to the eastern side of Australia from central New South Wales to Northern Queensland. This species is hardy to temperate climates but averages in height to around 20 metres in cooler zones; instead of up to 35 metres in its native habitat.

Brachychiton acerifolius is a fast growing, deciduous, flowering tree and seems to be the most popular of the over 30 species of Brachychiton; this is largely due its fabulous show of red flowers in Summer. It certainly is one of our more colourful native trees.

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Illawarra Flame Tree ( Brachychiton acerifolius ) is a flowering Australian tree, that is native to the eastern side of Australia from central New South Wales to Northern Queensland. This species is hardy to temperate climates but averages in height to around 20 metres in cooler zones: instead of up to 35 metres in its native habitat.

Brachychiton acerifolius is a fast growing, deciduous, flowering tree and seems to be the most popular of the over 30 species of Brachychiton; this is largely due its fabulous show of red flowers in Summer. It certainly is one of our more colourful native trees.

Other common names are Flame Tree; Lacebark Tree; Flame Kurrajong; and Australian Flame Tree.

Check out our page about the Queensland Bottle Tree here.

Growth

The Illawarra Flame Tree can reach heights of up to 35 metres and a width of 15 metres. It is deciduous to semi deciduous depending on the climate and loses it leaves (or many of them) in Spring-early Summer; just before it begins to flower in Summer. Its flowers are bright red and look like clusters of little bells. The adult leaves of this tree are deeply lobed, with anywhere from 3 lobes; looking a bit like an emu’s foot to 7 lobes; looking similar to a maple shaped leaf. The fruit (seed pods) are shaped like little canoes and up to 12 cm long.

Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.

 

FAMILY:

Malvaceae

CLIMATE:

Temperate to Tropical

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

-5 to 45°C / 23 to 114°F

SOIL TYPE:

Suitable for most types of soil, well-draining preferred. Clay-Sand.

LOCATION:

Full Sun

HEIGHT:

20-35 metres (60-115 feet)

WIDTH:

10-15 metres (32-50 feet)

pH:

5.5-7.0

GROWTH TYPE:

Deciduous. Fast growing.

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Low-Medium dependent on area, drought tolerant.

POLLINATION:

Bird & Bee Pollinated. Monoecious – both male and female flowers are found on the same plant.

MATURITY:

4-8 years

GERMINATION RATES:

86-90%

GERMINATION TIME:

2-4 weeks

GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:

Easy-Medium

SEEDS PER GRAM:

4

MEDICINAL QUALITIES:

No

WEED POTENTIAL:

No

 

FACTS ABOUT BRACHYCHITON ACERIFOLIUS

This infamous deciduous native tree is quite a spectacular species. It is great as an ornamental or street tree and attracts many native birds. It really does compare favourably to any imported variety, with the bonus of being used to our Australian conditions; and be grown as far south as Melbourne and as far north as Cairns.

The Illawarra Flame Tree grows quickly at around 60-80cm (25-35 inches) per season.

Looking for that feature tree with low maintenance?
Give some consideration to the Illawarra Flame tree.

Weight 0.5 kg
Dimensions 26 × 16 × .5 cm
Quantity

10 Seeds, 50 Seeds, Seedling

Germination Instructions

HOW TO GROW BRACHYCHITON ACERIFOLIUS (Illawarra Flame Tree)

 

Step 1

Soak seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours prior to sowing.

Step 2

Prepare either a seed tray or individual pots with a well-draining soil mix. This can be made up peat, seed raising mix, garden soil, sand. Most substrates are fine if they are well draining, we use a normal potting mix for these with a little vermiculite and perlite added.

Step 3

Sow seeds roughly 3-5 mm deep (around the size of the seed width) and moisten the soil with a mist spray hose setting or bottle to avoid disturbing the seeds or making the soil too wet.

Step 4

If you have a greenhouse place your tray / pots in there to assist with warmth & humidity levels, if not cover your pots / tray with clear plastic, glass or kitchen wrap (glad wrap), this will create a greenhouse environment.

Place into a well-lit, warm position where they will not be getting full harsh sun. Inside a greenhouse can get to extreme temperatures when they are in full afternoon sun during the summer months and can cook your seeds!

They can also be started indoors if required. Keep moist during entire germination period.

Ideal germination temperatures for germination are between 23-28°C / 73-73°F

In ideal conditions seeds should germinate around 2-4 weeks.

Step 5

Once several seeds have germinated you can begin to remove a corner of your clear covering to allow some air circulation which will prevent any moulding and allow the seedlings to acclimatise to the outside environment.

Once the seedlings a growing well and strong enough you can begin to move them to a sunny position, but do this slowly over a week or two, starting with morning sun.

Be sure that your soil doesn’t completely dry out as young seedlings are not drought tolerant like they will be as mature trees. Avoid over watering, this is a common cause of seedling death with many plant species.

Transplanting can be done once they have 2-3 true leaves if necessary; they are quite sturdy. Best kept in pots until around 3 or 4 years old.

Chosen location for transplant in the garden should be in full sun.

From seed the Illawarra Flame Tree takes between 4-8 years to flower

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