Lophostemon Species, Brisbane Box, Brush Box, Queensland Box, Vinegar Tree

This tree is extensively planted around Pasadena, CA (9b). It has been chosen for its drought tolerance and year-round beauty. The trun...Read Morek is distinctively red to red-brown hued, and has glossy, dark-green, three inch long leaves. I have seen them up to 40 feet tall, though they tend to be narrow crowned unless pruned to shape as a more spreading tree (which many have been here). In most cases, the tree seems willing to have under-planting at its feet. It provides much needed shade and cover for birds of all sorts. I thought it was one of the more tropical Eucalypts at first, but was surprised to find it in a nursery under the name Tristania.

This plant has a vigorous & invasive root system, do not plant near pipes, foundations, paving, etc.

Four 15-gallon trees were planted a little over a year ago to provide quick shade on the south side of our "new" home. The trees respon...Read Moreded well to regular deep irrigation and are close to 16 feet tall (already providing sun protection and privacy to the 2nd story bedroom windows). Young trees will need sturdy supports to keep them from blowing over in high winds. As with Eucalyptus trees, hard seed capsules form on the Brisbane Box. The capsule litter could be unsightly on a closely clipped lawn; but the trees in my yard are over mondo grass (lawn substitute) and the capsules should disappear between the grass clumps.