Lilly Pilly Syzygium Australe

TREE FRIEND DATA SHEET  for Susan Burk

1. Average expected life of tree, in years, from sprout to death (approx numbers)

Lilly Pilly is a common name for a Syzygium. The Syzygium Australe, also known as a Brush Cherry or Scrub Cherry.  The average life span is approximately 20 years plus depending on conditions.

1. Years until trees first fruit (ie some trees fruit within a few years, others can take decades)

The Lilly Pilly, Syzygium Australe first fruits from year 1 onwards.

1. Season of year when productive tree fruits (ie Summer, Autumn, Winter Spring or combo ie Su/Au)

In late spring, early summer, it has clusters of white fluffy flowers appearing across the branches. Fruits start out pale, but are ready to harvest when they turn pink or dark red in the winter.

1. Expected or average number years tree expected to fruit for once it begins. (ie year 8 to 20 = 12 yrs)

Year 1 to 20+ = 19+ years

1. e) Country/area of origin.

Syzygium Australe also known as Brush Cherry and Scrub Cherry, is an Australian Native Rainforest plant, native to Eastern Australia.

1. f) Average annual rainfall in area of origin

The average rainfall in the Australian East Coast is 1200mm.

1. g) Latin name of tree and family

The Latin Name of the Lilly Pilly species I have chosen is Syzygium Australe. Syzygium is from the Greek word Syzygos which means joined, refers to paired leaves. Australe is Southern. This species, Syzygium Australe is one of at least 50 species of Syzygiums native to Australia. It is an Australian Native Rainforest plant which is native to Eastern Australia.

Syzygium is the largest genus of Lilly Pillies represented in Australia. Nearly all found in Rainforests of Queensland and NSW.

Syzygiums are succulent fruited trees belonging to the family of Myrtacea.

Myrtacea family also contains hard fruited plants such as the genra Eucalyptus, Melaleuca (paperbarks), Callistemon (bottlebrushes), Leptospermum (tea trees) and many others.

1. h) Any other products, benefits, useful or interesting facts about of tree:

The Syzygium Australe, common name Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry. It is a hardy tree in most temperate and subtropical climates. It is an all year evergreen and has a round form, which represents natural form of a tree where foliage above the main section of the trunk is full, creating a canopy.

The leaves are opposite, each pair emerges from the stem at the same location, but on opposing sides. The leaves are rounded and bright glossy green in colour. It flowers in panicles, clusters on stems, which branch and re-branch from the main stem. They are white fluffy flowers appearing across the branches. They are then followed by large, fleshy red fruits in profusion, ovoid in shape 20mm long with a large seed.

The fruits are edible with a crisp fresh texture and is also made into jams. The berry is also a super food with great anti-aging properties, contains Vitamin C and fruit acids, collagen and elastin to improve firmness of skin, it also has anti-bacterial properties.

Propagation can be carried out from fresh seed, either by sowing the fruits whole or after removing the flesh.

This tree also is resistant to Psyllids. It is also drought resistant and provides excellent shade with the canopy. It attracts birds, bees and insects.

Trunks often have buttress roots at the base. Bark is rough, often scaly and grey or brown grey in colour.

ie good shade tree or wind break, good cabinet, building or fire wood, fire resistant, flood or drought  tolerant. For example in Australia we have a challenge with termites that do a lot of damage eating wooden structures, there are certain woods that are naturally white ant resistant that allow a more reliable building without utilising white ant poison like is often done.

1. i) Height, width and shape of tree at maturity.

Syzygium Australe, in some conditions it can attain a height up to 35 metres, and trunk diameter of 60cm.

In cultivation this species is usually a small to medium size tree with maximum height of 18 metres and approximate 30cm trunk diameter.

The average height is 5 – 10metres with 2.5 foliage width for 5 metre trees with an approximate trunk diameter of 15cm.

The tree can reach mature height in 3 – 5 years depending on growing conditions.

The Syzygium Australe is an all year Evergreen tree that has a round form.

Please find measure for both diameter of trunk and also arbour (the tree foliage)   Note the profile shape is important for later design work, some trees have an overhanging canopy with bare trunk that can be walked around, others have foliage from base to top and in all sorts of patterns and densities.

1. j) challenges or special requirements, such as needing other varieties in order to fruit

The Syzygium Australe is a hardy species that tolerates dry conditions and most soil types when established. However, as a rainforest plant it prefers rich, well drained soils kept moist throughout the year for best results. It provides an excellent canopy to provide shade and protection.  It has a long-life expectancy once established.

About The Author

About The Author

Susan Burk

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