Lexi Webster
Conifers are evergreen trees that are pollinated by wind and have seeds that are not enclosed in fruit. They are native to many parts of the world, including Australia, where they are found in a variety of shapes and sizes. Conifers are well-suited to the Australian climate and can be grown in gardens, along avenues, or in pots. Some of the most well-known Australian conifers include the Bunya Pine, Kauri Pine, Wollemi Pine, and Norfolk Island Pine. In this article, we will explore the different types of conifers found in Australia, their characteristics, and how to care for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Conifer types in Australia | Norfolk Island Pine, Bunya Pine, Kauri Pine, Wollemi Pine, Hoop Pine, Pencil Pine, White Cypress Pine, Mediterranean Cypress, Morganii, Spartan Juniper, Agathis, Araucaria, Podocarps, Podocarpus, Callitris, Macrozamia, Lagarostrobos franklinii, Callitroideae, Mt. Spurgeon Black Pine |
| Conifer growth | Slow-growing, can take years to grow to a reasonable size |
| Soil | Well-drained loam, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6) |
| Watering | Regularly for the first six weeks after planting, then only during prolonged dry periods |
| Fertiliser | Six-month controlled-release fertiliser suitable for trees and shrubs |
| Climate | Tolerant of dry and frosty conditions, less tolerant of heat |
| Pruning | Minimal pruning required, light trimming of tips of shoots/branches over winter |
| Root system | Does not like root disturbance |
| Seeds | Not enclosed in a fruit, said to be naked |
| Leaves | Usually narrow, needle-like, sometimes broader |
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What You'll Learn
Conifers native to Australia
Conifers are evergreen trees that are pollinated by wind and have cones but no flowers. Their seeds are not enclosed in fruit but are said to be naked. Conifers native to Australia include the following:
Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis)
The Wollemi Pine is a rare conifer with stiff, dull, yellowish-green adult leaves arranged in four rows on the upper surfaces of the branches. Its juvenile leaves are soft, dark green on top, and waxy white underneath, arranged in two rows on the branches. The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest living plants, discovered in a remote part of Wollemi National Park in 1994. It is one of the least heat-tolerant Australian conifers, growing best in climates with a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius.
Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii)
The Bunya Pine is one of the most well-known Australian conifers and is native to Australia. It is also known as the Bunya and Hoop Pine (Araucaria species). The common plantation pine trees, such as Pinus radiata, are not native to Australia but have become naturalised in some places.
Kauri Pine (Agathis australis)
The Kauri Pine is another well-known Australian conifer with broader leaves. It is a rainforest species that reaches out onto flat coastal Queensland.
Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island Pine is endemic to Norfolk Island but is widely grown along the Australian coastline. It is a large tree, growing between 20 and 35 meters tall and 10 to 15 meters wide, with a symmetrical, pyramid-like shape and dark evergreen foliage. It tolerates harsh coastal conditions and thrives in humidity.
Cypress Pines
Cypress Pines are found throughout Australia in various shapes and sizes and are suited to a range of climates. The White Cypress Pine is one of the most popular species due to its hardiness and low-maintenance requirements.
Pencil Pines
Pencil Pines are tall and narrow, with deep green-blue foliage that grows in dense sprays, making them ideal for planting in small spaces or along avenues. They are hardy and tolerate both dry and frosty conditions.
Many Australian conifer species are endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world. They are also limited in distribution and less abundant than before European settlement due to logging and their vulnerability to fire.
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Conifers that can be planted in Australian gardens
Conifers are a versatile addition to Australian gardens. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and colours, making them ideal for all types of gardens. Most conifers are evergreen, wind-pollinated, and have cones and needle-like foliage. They are very slow-growing and can take years to grow to a reasonable size, so it is recommended to buy young plants in 180 or 200mm pots. Conifers do not like root disturbance, so take great care to keep the root ball intact when planting or repotting. Choose a sunny position without competition from nearby trees and ensure well-drained loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5–6. Add a six-month controlled-release fertiliser to the base of the planting hole and cover lightly with soil. Regularly water the conifer for the first six weeks after planting, and when established, only water during prolonged dry periods.
Some of the best coniferous trees to plant in Australia are:
- Pencil Pines: One of the most distinctive coniferous trees, with tall and narrow deep green-blue foliage that grows in dense sprays. They are ideal for small spaces and avenue planting, and as screening trees due to the density of their foliage. They grow to a height of 10-15 metres and a width of up to 1 metre, and are hardy, tolerating dry and frosty conditions. They grow best in well-drained soil in full sun and require minimal pruning.
- Blue Arrow: A compact evergreen in the juniper family with dense blue foliage. It grows to a height of 4-5 metres and a width of 40-50 centimetres, making it ideal for narrow hedges or statement pot plants. It tolerates most conditions and soil types but grows best in full sun with deep watering in the first year.
- Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar: A cultivated variety of the Atlas Cedar and the Blue Atlas Cedar, specially bred to grow in a weeping style. It makes a great statement plant or centrepiece for a Japanese-style garden.
- Norfolk Island Pine: Endemic to Norfolk Island but widely grown along the Australian coastline. It grows to a height of 20-35 metres and a width of 10-15 metres, with a symmetrical pyramid-like shape and dark evergreen soft foliage. It tolerates harsh coastal conditions and thrives in humidity, though it does not adapt well to cold climates. It prefers a growing position in full sun to part-shade and will tolerate most soil types.
- Hoop Pines: A subtropical rainforest species widely planted in Australia as ornamental trees and in timber plantations. They are large trees, reaching up to 60 metres tall and 4 metres in girth.
- Wollemi Pines: One of the world's oldest living plants, discovered in a remote part of Wollemi National Park in 1994. Young trees have bright green foliage that changes to yellowish-green as they mature. They are one of the least heat-tolerant Australian conifers, growing best in climates with a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. They prefer shady locations protected from the wind and require regular watering, especially in summer, with well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
- Bunya Pines: One of the most well-known Australian conifers.
- Kauri Pines: Another well-known Australian conifer with broader leaves.
- Cypress Pines: Found Australia-wide in a variety of shapes and sizes, and suited to a range of climates. White Cypress Pine is a popular species due to its hardiness and low-maintenance requirements.
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Conifers that are endemic to Australia
Australia is home to numerous endemic coniferous trees that are not found anywhere else in the world. The main groups (genera) that are native to Australia include Bunya and Hoop Pines (Araucaria species). Many of the Australian conifer species are limited in distribution and are much less abundant than they were before European settlement due to logging and their vulnerability to fire.
Some of the most well-known endemic Australian conifers are the Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii), Kauri Pine (Agathis australis), and Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis). The Wollemi Pine is a rare conifer with stiff, dull yellowish-green adult leaves arranged in four rows on the upper surfaces of the branches. Its juvenile leaves are soft, dark green on top, and waxy white underneath, arranged in two rows on the branches. The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest living plants, discovered in a remote part of Wollemi National Park in 1994.
Another endemic conifer is the Norfolk Island Pine, which is widely grown along the Australian coastline. This tree is large, growing to between 20 and 35 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, with a distinctive symmetrical, pyramid-like shape and dark evergreen foliage. The Norfolk Island Pine tolerates harsh coastal conditions and thrives in humidity, though it is not well-suited to cold climates.
Hoop Pines are also a subtropical rainforest species widely planted in Australia as ornamental trees and in timber plantations. They are a large tree, reaching up to 60 metres tall and 4 metres in girth, found in rainforests along Australia's east coast.
Other conifers that are endemic to Australia include the White Cypress Pine, which is one of the most popular species due to its hardiness and low-maintenance requirements, and the Pencil Pine, which is tall and narrow, growing to a maximum width of 1 metre, making it ideal for planting in small spaces.
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Norfolk Island Pines
These trees are well-adapted to harsh coastal conditions and thrive in humid environments. While they tolerate light frost, they are not suited for cold climates. They prefer full sun to part-shade and can grow in various soil types, though they favour rich, sandy, and acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Norfolk Island Pines require regular watering, and their roots are susceptible to rot if exposed to excessive moisture.
The species is cultivated as an ornamental tree in subtropical climates and is popular during the holiday season as a living Christmas tree. It is also grown indoors in pots, requiring bright locations with high humidity for optimal growth. Indoors, Norfolk Island Pines should be watered every one to two weeks and misted daily if potted. They benefit from fertilisation with weak liquid fertiliser and prefer acidic soil.
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Conifer care
Conifers are ornamental trees with needle-like foliage. They are ancient plants that predate dinosaurs and are mostly found in the colder regions of the northern hemisphere. However, some conifers are found south of the equator, such as the Wollemi Pine, which is native to Australia. Conifers are evergreen, wind-pollinated, and have cones, but no flowers. Their seeds are not enclosed in fruit but are said to be 'naked'.
Conifers are slow-growing and can take years to reach a reasonable size, so it is recommended to buy young plants in 180 or 200mm pots. They do not like root disturbance, so when planting or repotting, take care to keep the root ball intact. Choose a sunny position without competition from other trees, and ensure the soil is well-drained loam with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5–6.
Add a six-month controlled-release fertiliser to the base of the planting hole and cover with soil to prevent direct root contact. Keep the planting depth the same as, or slightly higher than, the pot. Backfill around the roots, firming the soil without compacting it. Water with a seaweed solution to minimise transplant shock. For hedging, space plants 60cm to 1m apart.
Water regularly for the first six weeks after planting, then only during prolonged dry periods once the tree is established. Ensure excess water drains away freely. Potted conifers should only be watered when the top 5–10cm of soil is dry. Apply a six-month controlled-release fertiliser suitable for trees at the start of spring and autumn.
Conifers do not regrow from old wood, so avoid cutting back hard. Lightly trim the tips of shoots/branches in winter, cutting back to a side lateral or shoot on the growing stems. Remove any dead or dying branches.
Some conifers may be attacked by bark-boring beetles, so look out for sawdust deposits and use insecticide if required. Cinnamon fungus and other fungi can also be an issue in heavy soils that don't drain well.
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Frequently asked questions
Conifers are mostly evergreen trees that are pollinated by wind and have cones but no flowers. The seeds of conifers are not enclosed in a fruit and are said to be naked. The leaves of conifers are usually narrow and needle-like, though some species have broader leaves.
Conifers are found across Australia, with some species endemic to the country. They are particularly diverse in Tasmania and Queensland. Conifers can be found in a range of climates, from the cool temperate regions of Tasmania to the hot tropical areas of Cape York. They are also found in coastal areas, with the Norfolk Island Pine being widely grown along the Australian coastline.
Conifers are slow-growing and can take years to reach a reasonable size, so it is recommended to buy young plants in pots. Choose a sunny position without competition from nearby trees, and plant in well-drained loam with slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6). Water regularly for the first six weeks after planting, and then only during prolonged dry periods. Apply a six-month controlled-release fertiliser suitable for trees and shrubs at the start of spring and autumn. Lightly trim the tips of shoots/branches over winter to maintain the desired shape.
