FAST GROWING RAINFOREST SPECIES

FAST GROWING RAINFOREST SPECIES

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David McMinn

When planting a rainforest plot, the main aim to get a canopy quickly established. This is to shade out weeds, which will smoother any small plants and many larger ones for that matter. Thus, a list has been presented of rapidly growing species, which should comprise most of the trees in the initial plantings. The larger growing species should be planted out in a grid with about 3 to 4 metres between each tree. Once the canopy starts shading out the weeds, then interplant with slower growing species.

Most listed species are native to the north east NSW & south east Queensland. Species denoted by NEQ are native to north east Queensland.

References

Jones, David L . Rainforest Plants of Australia. Reed Books P/L. 1986.
Lines-Kelly, Rebecca & Currey, Anne (Eds).Trees for the NSW North Coast. NSW Dept of Agriculture. 1992.
Nicholson, Nan & Nicholson, Hugh. Australian Rainforest Plants. Vols I, II, III, IV & V. 1985-2000.
Radke, Peter & Radke, Ann. Growing Australian Tropical Plants. Frith & Frith Books, 1993.
Williams, J B, Harden, G J & McDonald, W JF. Trees & Shrubs in Rainforests of NSW & South East Queensland. Botany Department, University of New England. 1984.

Abbreviations: DRF: Dry Rainforest. STR: Subtropical Rainforest NEQ: Native to North East Queensland.

Species	Rainforest Type	Tall (m)	Comments
Ash species Alphitonia species	STR, DRF	12	Fast growing pioneer species. Often will self sow, if mature trees are located in the area. Excellent in initial plantings to create a quick canopy. Hardy in full sun and tolerant of cold conditions. Grows on a wide range of soils and is frost hardy.
Koda Ehretia acuminata	STR, DRF	10	Flowers and fruits at an early age. Briefly deciduous in winter. Fruit avidly eaten by birds. Frost resistant.
Blue Quandong Elaeocarpus grandis	STR	30	Moist sites along permanent creeks & rivers or around swamps and springs.
Weeping Fig (NEQ) Ficus benjamina	STR	20-25	Fastest growing of the large native Ficus species. Warm sites with little or no frost.
Creek Sandpaper Fig Ficus coronata	STR	8-10	This small tree some is usually found along streams. Produces prolific quantities of fruit for wildlife.
Sandpaper Fig Ficus fraseri	STR, DRF	8-10	A common species that will often self regenerate. Food source for birds. It is easy to grow and plants will establish themselves quickly. Briefly deciduous in cold areas.
Queensland Maple (NEQ) Flindersia brayleyana	STR	20	Excellent regeneration tree, as it becomes quickly established. White scented flowers in summer. Valuable timber tree. Copes with some frost.
Cudgerie Flindersia schottiana	STR	50	Fast growth makes this an excellent regeneration tree. White scented flowers in summer. Valuable timber tree. Copes with mild frost.
Cheese Tree Glochidion ferdinandi	STR, DRF	10	Fast growing pioneer species.
Silky Oak Grevillea robusta	STR, DRF	20	Cabinet tree. The nectar rich, yellow flowers are a good food source for fruit bats and birds in September & October.
Guioa Guioa semiglauca	STR, DRF	10	Common pioneer species and will often self regenerate. May grow with multi trunks. It is prone to wind damage so plant in a sheltered site for protection from strong winds. The fruit is relished by birds.
Native Frangipani Hymenosporum flavum	STR, DRF	10	Tall slender medium sized tree. Clusters of yellow, scented flowers in spring. Strong winds may damage the branches.
Foambark Tree Jagera pseudorhus	STR, DRF	10	Fast growing pioneer species. Grow in an area protected from strong winds.
Brush Box Lophostemon confertus	STR, DRF	20-30	Fast growing and frost hardy. Tolerates a wide range of soils. May be grown on dry ridges and in exposed positions. Excellent border tree for rainforest plantings to protect the more sensitive trees from hot winds and burning sun.
Macaranga Macaranga species	STR, DRF	10	Fast growing pioneer species. Prefers to grow on the warmer westerly slopes.
Kamala Mallotus species	STR, DRF	10	Fast growing pioneer species.
White Cedar Melia azederach	STR, DRF	15	Grows well in difficult sites. The perfumed, lilac-coloured flowers. Fruit is poisonous to humans but is readily eaten by birds. Frost tolerant.
Pink Euodia Melicope elleryana	STR	20	Swamp and moist sites only. Flowers and fruit attract birds. Prone to frost damage, especially when young.
Bower Vine Pandorea jasminoides Wonga Vine Pandorea pandorana	STR, DRF	Vine	Both species have attractive flowers, which bloom over several months. Plant these in house gardens, as alternatives to exotic vines, which can become a serious weed problem.
Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum	STR, DRF	8-10	Beautiful scented cream flowers in spring. Good landscape tree and excellent pioneer species in rainforest plots.
Deep Yellow Wood Rhodosphaera rhodanthema	STR, DRF	15	Very attractive tree. It is hardy to dry spells and copes well with sun. Must have well drained soils. Valuable timber tree. Sun hardy.
Copyright. © 2004. David McMinn. All rights reserved.