While Australia as a country is expanse, suburbs are getting smaller. Statistics show that a typical residential lot is 30% smaller than it was 10 years ago. This means, some of the large trees that used to thrive in our gardens, may not have enough space anymore.
It’s important to plan your landscaping carefully, so you don’t risk invasive root systems which can get under your home and even inside plumbing systems. This article discusses the best trees to plant near your house that have manageable root systems. Plus, you’ll learn the trees to avoid. Talk with your local Brisbane arborist if you need help with unruly trees in your yard.
Best Trees to Plant Near Your Home
1.Tuckeroo Tree
Tuckeroo trees are easy to maintain and suitable for growing near a house. Their height usually gets between 8-15m high and they are particularly hardy rarely getting sick from disease or pests. Often seen as street trees along the coast, the Tuckeroo is fast growing with non-invasive roots.
2.Lilly Pilly Tree
Lilly Pilly trees are fast growing and readily available making them a popular option for home gardeners. The Lilly Pilly tree does more than shade your garden, it produces a small edible exotic fruit that is said to have numerous skin care benefits. Their root systems are non-invasive and you can choose from 60 different varieties.
3.Bottlebrush Tree
The Bottlebrush tree is a stunning decorative tree for the garden producing huge arrays of coloured flowers. It’s an easily maintained tree and the roots are not generally invasive. Birds and wildlife love this tree, making it an attractive tree for a small yard or garden.
4.Elaeocarpus Eumundi Tree
Eumundi’s grow 5-10 metres tall and are strong and narrow. Easy to care for, they are generally a great tree to plant next to buildings or paths for example. They make a striking feature tree, with glossy, thick foliage and do well in coastal conditions.
5.Crepe Myrtle Tree
Crepe Myrtles are a medium sized deciduous tree with a maximum height of 6m. They come in a variety of different flower colours ranging from white, pinks and purples. They are drought tolerant, not prone to attack from pests or disease and look great when in flower but their attractive bark and branch form is also attractive so they look great during the leafless Winter months.
Worst Trees to Plant Near Your Home
There are a few trees you should not plant in your garden if you have little space. These include;
- Fig Tree (Ficus). These are lovely trees but need a huge space to grow and have expansive roots
- Poinciana Tree. This tree has a beautiful, expansive canopy and needs room to grow. They have large invasive root systems so not ideal next to buildings or paths
- Tipuana Tree. Tipuanas also have large, expansive root systems. They produce helicopter like seed pods which spread through the air meaning this tree might have planted in your garden on its own
- Cocos Palm. A common tree seen throughout the Gold Coast and Brisbane, but not ideal next to buildings due to their invasive root system. Cocos Palms are also declared weed tree species.
