Geijera salicifolia
Axe Gapper
Overview
Geijera salicifolia is an evergreen rainforest tree growing 25-80 feet (8-25 m) tall in forest, though cultivated trees usually stay 15-30 feet (4.5-9 m), with a dense, rounded crown and dark, finely fissured bark. The leaves are narrow and willow-like, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, glossy dark green, and dotted with oil glands that release a citrus-like scent when crushed, reflecting the plant place in the rue family. Small cream to white flowers about 0.1 inch (3 mm) across are carried in branched sprays at the branch tips in spring and summer, followed by small two-lobed fruits that ripen dark and are eaten by birds. The hard, close-grained timber gives the tree its common name. Geijera salicifolia grows in subtropical and dry rainforest from eastern New South Wales into Queensland on fertile, well-drained soils, and has low tolerance of frost, drought, and exposed sites while young. In cultivation it is used as a shade, screen, and street tree in frost-free districts, where it casts dense shade but grows slowly.
Native Range
Geijera salicifolia is native to eastern Australia, occurring in subtropical and dry rainforest from the central and northern coast of New South Wales into eastern Queensland. It grows on fertile, well-drained soils in sheltered forest, often on basaltic or alluvial ground.Suggested Uses
G. salicifolia is used as a slow-growing shade, screen, and street tree in frost-free subtropical and warm-temperate gardens. Its dense canopy casts heavy shade, and the fruit feeds birds. Frost sensitivity and slow growth limit it to sheltered, warm sites where time is not pressing.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height25' - 80'
Width/Spread15' - 30'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cream to whiteFoliage Description
Glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow G. salicifolia in full sun to part shade on fertile, moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The tree tolerates a range of soils but has low tolerance of frost when young and of prolonged drought, performing in USDA zones 10-11. Water regularly through the first few summers to establish a deep root system, then reduce in all but dry spells. Mulch to keep the root zone cool and feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser. Growth is slow, so allow time for the tree to reach screening or shade size.Pruning
G. salicifolia needs little pruning and forms a naturally rounded, dense crown. Remove low or crossing branches when young to shape a clear trunk for street or shade use. It reshoots from old wood, so it tolerates trimming for hedging or screening.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons