Emmenosperma alphitonioides

Yellow ash is a handsome rainforest native with glossy green foliage set against silvery-grey bark, held in a naturally columnar frame. Panicles of white flowers run from August into November and are followed by bright orange fruit that colour the crown and hold for weeks, the reason it is planted as often for autumn effect as for its form.

In the landscape

Used as a street tree, an avenue at 6–8 m centres, a lawn specimen where the upright silhouette can be read, and as a windbreak or screen on a boundary. Roots are non-invasive. The columnar habit keeps it out of the way of built form, and the silvery bark carries the tree visually through the months when it is neither flowering nor fruiting.

Growing notes

Evergreen, preferring sandy to loamy, slightly acidic soil with free drainage, in full sun or light shade. It is resistant to pollution and tolerant of tropical heat, which suits it to Queensland, the New South Wales coast and ranges, and warmer parts of Victoria. Growth is moderate. In the ground it reaches roughly 10–15 m tall by 5–7 m wide, holding a columnar shape.

This tree

• Height: 6.0–6.5 m
• Canopy width: 3.5–4.0 m
• Caliper: 250 mm
• Currently standing: 1 tree

Field-grown ex-ground at Ravensbourne Farm, root-pruned and basket-lifted, delivered and craned Australia-wide, price on application through the Shortlist.