Guide · Planting
The best trees for north shore gardens
Replacing a tree after a removal, or planting from scratch? These suit north shore conditions, stay in proportion to a suburban garden, and won't turn into the next problem tree.
Before you plant
- Check the mature size. Most problem trees were planted too close to a house, wall or pipe. Match the tree's final height and spread to the space.
- Plant big trees well away from buildings. As a rule of thumb, keep a tree at least as far from the house as its mature canopy is wide, and further for large eucalypts.
- Check your permit conditions. Willoughby requires three replacement trees for each tree removed, or a payment into its offset scheme. Ku-ring-gai publishes a replacement planting species list for tree applications.
- Choose locals where you can. Native species suit the soils, need less water once established and feed local birds.
Ten trees that work
| Tree | Typical garden height | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water gum Tristaniopsis laurina | 5–10 m | Shade near paths and patios, damp spots | Neat, dense canopy and yellow flowers in summer. |
| Blueberry ash Elaeocarpus reticulatus | 4–8 m | Small gardens, screening | Fringed pink or white flowers in spring and blue berries for birds. |
| NSW Christmas bush Ceratopetalum gummiferum | 3–6 m | A feature tree in a small space | Red bracts in December. Native to Sydney's sandstone country. |
| Lilly pilly Syzygium and Acmena species | 3–10 m, by variety | Screening and hedges | Pick a variety resistant to psyllids, which cause pimply leaves. |
| Native frangipani Hymenosporum flavum | 6–10 m | Narrow side gardens | Slender shape and scented yellow flowers in spring. |
| Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides | 6–10 m | Harbourside and windy gardens | Tough and salt tolerant, with orange fruit for birds. |
| Coastal banksia Banksia integrifolia | 6–12 m | Harbourside blocks | Handles salt wind. Flowers feed honeyeaters. |
| Old man banksia Banksia serrata | 4–8 m | Sandstone soils | A gnarled character tree, native to Sydney's sandstone. |
| Weeping lilly pilly Waterhousea floribunda | 8–12 m | Larger screening | Dense, weeping foliage that holds its shape. |
| Sydney red gum Angophora costata | 15–25 m | Large blocks only | The harbour's signature tree. Can drop branches, so plant well clear of buildings. |
Heights are typical for garden-grown trees and vary with soil, water and variety.
Trees to avoid
These are weeds or problem trees, which is why north shore councils let you remove them without a permit:
- Camphor laurel: spreads into bushland and has aggressive roots.
- Cocos palm: weedy, messy, and its fruit attracts flying foxes.
- Privet: invasive, and its pollen is a common irritant.
- Umbrella tree and rubber tree: invasive roots that damage paving and pipes.
- African olive and broad-leaf pepper tree: invasive weeds across Sydney.
- Liquidambar: surface roots and heavy leaf drop. Exempt in Ku-ring-gai only under 12 m.
Removing one? See council permits for your area.
Common questions
Do I have to replant after removing a tree?
Sometimes. Willoughby requires three replacement trees for each one removed, or an offset payment. Ku-ring-gai may set replanting in its conditions and publishes a species list. Check the conditions on your approval.
When is the best time to plant?
Autumn and spring, when the soil is warm and the weather mild. Water deeply and regularly through the first summer.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.