Another Good Camphor Laurel Replacement Tree.

Crows Ash - Flindersia australis
Further to the articles, below, on Deep Yellowwoods and Ribbonwoods, here is another of our large and beautiful local native trees, which could be used to give our city the look and feel that we love - of stately parks and shady, tree-lined streets - in the way that camphor laurels do now. As you can see from the photo above, of a new house built among established crows ashes (in Hi-winds Road, Blue Mountain Heights), this tree is one which would add a great deal of distinction to any style of architecture. I believe these trees to be over 100 years old - perhaps a similar age to Toowoomba’s largest camphor laurels.




Given just a bit of attention when very young, crows ashes can be fast-growing if only moderately well cared-for. They appreciate a little watering in their first few months, and protection from frost in their first one or two winters. They grow to become very resistant both the frost and drought.

The specimen at right is about 20 years old.










They can be partially deciduous for a brief period in spring, often losing the leaves on just one or two branches. Leaf loss is followed by little white flowers, which in turn are followed by those magnificent woody starfish-like seedpods which are used to such effect in dried flower arrangements.