Geijera parviflora: Australian-Willow

Introduction

Australian-Willow is an attractive evergreen, 30 to 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with an upright, oval silhouette. The main inner branches are composed of strong, wind-resistant wood and are directed upward, while the outer smaller branches are somewhat pendulous. This gives a decided weeping habit to older trees. Younger trees are more oval-shaped. This characteristic, combined with the thin, narrow, three to six-inch-long, olive green leaves which droop from the branches, gives the tree much the same effect as a Weeping Willow. Short panicles of small, creamy white, showy flowers appear in early spring and early fall.

General Information

Scientific name: Geijera parviflora

Pronunciation: gay-JEER-uh par-vih-FLOR-uh

Common name(s): Australian-Willow

Family: Rutaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 9A through 11 (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: deck or patio; shade; specimen; street without sidewalk; screen; parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 30 to 35 feet

Spread: 20 to 25 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: weeping, round, oval

Crown density: dense

Growth rate: fast

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: lanceolate, linear

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round, irregular

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green

Current year twig thickness: thin

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: yes

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

Australian-Willow casts a light shade and is ideal for use around a patio or as a lawn specimen, but may be too weeping for use as a street tree unless it is properly trained when it is young. If the lowest main limbs are located high enough above the ground and are oriented in an upright-spreading fashion, then there will be clearance even for large trunks. Only small branches may have to be removed later as they droop from the main limbs toward the ground. Otherwise the tree has very good cultural adaptability to urban spaces.

Australian-Willow will give best growth in full sun on moist but well-drained soil although plants can tolerate light shade and very dry conditions. Trees grown in the open very rarely require any pruning if located where the drooping branches will not interfere with traffic below. A popular tree for the dry southwest, not really known or planted in the East.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern. Root rot may be a problem on sites without excellent drainage.