TREES FOR SWAMPY AREAS

Nimbin Plant Selection Guide

David McMinn

The following species are suitable for planting in swampy areas. Two lists are presented. The first gives those species that will grow in wet soils. The second lists species, which will grow in moist soils surrounding swamps and seepages.        

References:
 
Lines-Kelly, Rebecca & Currey, Anne (Eds). Trees for the NSW North Coast. NSW Dept of Agriculture. 1992.  
Jones, David L . Rainforest Plants of Australia. Reed Books P/L. 1986.
Nicholson, Nan & Nicholson, Hugh. Australian Rainforest Plants. Vols I, II, III, IV & V. 1985-2000.

TREES SUITABLE FOR GROWING IN SWAMPY AREAS

Tree Species

 Tall
(m)		 Growth
Rate

Comments
Bangalow Palm
Archontophoenix                       
cunninghamii
 20 Fast Grows quickly in wet soils. It is faster growing than Archontophoenix species from north Queensland.
Swamp Oak
Casuarina glauca		 10-12 Fast Very adaptable. Will grow in saline marshes or poorly drained pug. Associated with eucalyptus forest. Good firewood tree and suitable for wildlife.
Cabbage Palm
Livistona australis
 20 Mod Most moist to wet soils are suitable. Quite frost tolerant even when young. May be slow to become established. Can cope with fire when mature.
Swamp Turpentine
Lophostemon suaveolens                		20 Slow All soils. Prefers infrequent flooding & reasonable fertility. Eucalyptus and rainforest.
Oil Tea Tree
Melaleuca alternifolia
 5-7 Fast Medium to heavy clays. Tea tree oil production. Bee forage tree. Frost tolerant.
Broad Leaved Tea Tree
Melaleuca quinquenervia                     		15-20 Fast Light to medium clays. Honey production, suitable to attract wildlife and provide fencing posts.
Pink Euodia
Melicope elleryana
 20 Fast Most wet to moist soils. Bird attracting flowers and fruit. Intolerant of frost and should not be grown in low lying areas.
TREES SUITABLE TO PLANT NEAR SWAMPS & SPRINGS

Tree Species

 Tall
(m)		 Growth
Rate

Comments
Blue Quandong
Elaeocarpus grandis
     		30 Fast Permanently moist soils. Not swamps. Cabinet timber tree.
Red Bloodwood
Eucalyptus gummifera
 		15-30 Fast Better drained soils surrounding swamps. Stock shelter, fences posts, honey production and wildlife.
Swamp Mahogany
Eucalyptus robusta
 12-30 Fast Better drained soils surrounding swamps. Shade for stock. Honey production. Koala forage tree.
Forest Red Gum
Eucalyptus tereticornis
 10-40 Mod/Fast Moderate to fast growth if fertilised. Better drained soils around swamps. Stock shade. Honey production. Attracts wildlife. Koala forage tree. Good timber tree.
Creek Sandpaper Fig
Ficus coronata
 3-10 Fast Most soils. Rainforest. This is a small tree reaching only 8 to 10 metres tall. Produces prolific quantities of fruit for wildlife.

 
Brush Cherry
Syzygium australe
8-10 Mod Most moist soils. A widely distributed rainforest species. Like moist soils along creek banks or around swamps. It is usually only about 3 - 4 m tall, but can reach 30 m under favourable conditions. Takes full sun or semi shade. Frost tolerant.
Water Gum   
Tristaniopsis laurina

 5-12 Slow Most soils. Grows in both eucalypt forest and rainforest.
These are just a few suggestions. Many additional rainforest trees are suitable for growing around springs and swamps. Choose species that like plenty of water and a high water table.
Copyright. ©  2004. David McMinn. All rights reserved.