I hope this information helps Phil and we look forward to hearing your success story in the near future. The only problem is that seeds can be incredibly difficult to get hold of. We can help clear blocked drains, call Jason at 0403 355 550 or complete the quote request form today. Not only will the mulch provide your trees with important nutrients but it will also help to shade the roots which will provide a more natural environment for these forest dwellers. Secondly, flame trees will not be happy in containers unless you bonsai them, which will take considerably more work than most bonsai as the flowers and seed pods retain their full size even when bonsaied. It is also called Kurrajong, though this name is usually associated with Brachychiton populneus. . The following table is a basic guide only. Hi there, I have a couple of Illawarra Flame trees in my front yard and they are not looking great. Seed pods and seeds are produced after the tree finishes flowering. The flame tree can't tolerate frost as it will rot the roots. Tropical and subtropical, warm and cool temperate zones. The flowers are a bright red colour, measure 1 to 2 centimetres long and have a waxy surface. Care should be taken when opening the seed pods. The leaves emerge in late spring with a tough waxy exterior filled with moisture and chlorophyll. Those who wish to honor a special someone can do so with an attractive commemorative marker that will be installed at the base of an existing street tree in the City of Santa Barbara. Copyright 2007 - 2023 Aussie Green Thumb, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)"},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Illawarra Flame Tree | Australian Native Growing Guide. You are not permitted to plant the following trees species as they have invasive tree root systems, toxicity and/or their mature height is too tall. Regarding the weak canopies, it could be that your trees are simply not mature enough to produce masses of blooms and foliage as of yet but I dont know exactly how established they are at this time. Illawarra flame trees are spectacular native trees, indigenous to New South Wales. Essentially, if the weather isnt right for germination, they wont waste their energy on seed production. Australia is home to some 30+ species of Brachychiton and additionally, many naturally occurring and horticulturally produced hybrids. Bees and other nectar gathering insects and birds. Your rating will help us improve the website. Illawarra flame trees are not considered truly invasive as they are native species, but they do readily self-seed and can be a nuisance plant in the garden, with tough, widespread roots which can damage foundations if planted within 10m of a house. Read our. Height can range from 10 metres (33 feet) to 35 metres (115 feet) tall. Manage Settings For the Flame Tree to grow successfully, the quality of soil needs to be the type that remains dry even in winter. It produces a tough leathery dark-brown seed pod, containing rows of corn-like seeds that are surrounded by hairs that will irritate the skin and nose and throat if inhaled. The bright red bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters at the end of branches, often after the leaves have dropped, giving the plant a distinctive look. According to this forum, the person who was trying to coach the flame tree to be a bonsai was having trouble with it wanting to keep growing large. The trees will be replaced by four Illawarra flame trees in April after remediation work to remove the tree roots, add tree root barriers and repave has been completed. Address: PO Box 324 Sherwood BRISBANE QLD 4075, Important:
Its Color Spectrum. Despite this, the seeds of these trees are a traditional bush tucker, often used as a replacement for peanuts. Indigenous Australian peoples ate the seeds (after first carefully removing the irritating hairs) either raw or roasted, as well as the nutritious roots of young trees. If you need to prune it the best time to do it would be just after flowering in late summer. The flowers are a food source for nectar gathering animals such as bees and native birds. Erect stout tree with light glossy green large leaves. Tree Characteristics: The Illawarra flame tree is commonplace in Australia. The roots of the Illawarra flame tree are considered invasive because if planted close to houses or other structures, the tree may damage them. Seed germination and cuttings are used to propagate this tree. Better choices for around the garden are smaller, slower-growing trees and shrubs which have shallower root systems. During flowering season, the tree sheds its leaves and produces abundant vibrant red flowers covering the whole crown, which resembles a tree on fire. The seed is nutritious and can be eaten after toasting. Hopefully, some of this advice can help to reinvigorate them. Its botanical name is Brachychiton acerifolius. Keep the plant away from walls, pavement, or anything else it might overtake. While native to the east coast of Australia, they are found all over Australia. The Australian Flame Tree is commonly selected for use as street tree or for placement as a specimen tree in public parks and private gardens. They are best known for their flowers which come once every three-five years if the conditions are right, but are equally worth growing for their beautiful palmate foliage which spreads like lobed Acer leaves in neat canopies when grown in cultivation. They are toxic to many native animals and birds. Each flower is perfect, meaning it has both male and female reproductive parts inside. Bell shaped flame-red flowers follow in clusters during spring-summer. Complete our Service Request Form, or give our team a Despite being known for their bright red flowers, Illawarra flame trees usually only flower once every three to five years. It is a deciduous tree that is often found growing alongside the Red Cedar in lowland rainforest habitat. So, lets start with mulching. Only light frost conditions (ideally no snow), Will adapt to almost any soil type provided it has good drainage. [4] It may reach 30 to 35 m (98 to 115 ft) in height in its natural habitat, but is usually shorter in cultivation. One of the most known trees that is in this genus is the Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris).Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris)if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'gardenknocks_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',550,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenknocks_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Their life span can be anything from 50 to 150 years. The tree has a shallow root system, which not only competes with neighboring plants for space, but also makes the tree prone to being uprooted in strong winds. Often, single large gum tree specimens are lone survivors of development. The Illawarra flame tree is a native beauty that rivals the jacaranda in spring and summer. The Illawarra flame tree leaves can be 10 30 centimetres long. As you look across the valley, you can easily pick a brilliant red splotch from the deep green rainforest surrounding it. The cost was in the millions to replace it conventionally. How to grow illawarra flame tree in a garden Step 1 Choose a place in the garden that gets full sun or half shade. They do drop their leaves just before flowing in spring, then they drop they flowers once their flowering season is over in late summer. Application forms are available on the Santa Barbara Beautiful website, www.sbbeautiful.org. The Australian Flame Tree has many other common names, including "Flame Tree", "Illawarra Flame Tree", "Flame Bottle Tree", and "Flame Kurrajong". Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. The branches offer a safe roosting place for canopy dwelling birds such as the White Headed Pigeon. The branches are scarred and there isn't much of a canopy. Make sure that the soil dries out between waterings. Root System The root system of an Illawarra flame tree is considered to be invasive [ source ]. Their seeds are packed with fats and proteins that provide plenty of energy to young saplings. Water heavily for the first few weeks (every couple of days) while it is establishing itself. It can be easily propagated from seeds, from cuttings, or by grafting. If you have room in your garden and looking to grow more Australian natives then don't miss ourAustralian Banyan tree growing guide. Remove any leaves from the lower third. The Illawarra flame trees grow in the wild on the east coast of Australia. Some trees are on the definitely DO NOT plant list, these include: These varieties are slightly less invasive but still not recommended to plant in your garden or near drainage systems. Despite this, the seeds of these trees are a traditional bush tucker, often used as a replacement for peanuts. Backyard Buddies is an initiative of The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (ABN 90 107 744 771), a registered charity with the ACNC, with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Flame tree leaves also feed the caterpillars of some native butterflies, including the Pencilled Blue, Helenita Blue, Common Aeroplane and Tailed Emperor Butterflies. This popular shrub grows happily in pots outdoors and features the familiar fan-shaped flowers in white, blue or purple. The flame tree, also known as royal poinciana (Delonix regia), is a fast-growingevergreen tree that features an abundance of crimson blossoms. When they drop all of their leaves it can be messy, but the leaves can be easily mowed or raked up.Illawarra flame tree leaves. Other than that, growing Illawarra flame trees is all about positioning and general care. Well, it's an ode to the Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius). The flame tree is often hailed as a good native alternative to the jacaranda tree. In most years only part of a flame tree blooms, but even this is striking, as the leaves all drop off in the flowering zone. [5] It is a lovely tree that is perfectly suited to our Mediterranean climate, even though sometimes it can be thoroughly confused living here. Prefers a well drained fertile soil in full sun. This is when it is less active and wont get stressed out with any pruning. There are many people who know about the colour flowering delight of Brachychiton particularly that of the magnificent Illawarra Flame Tree, Brachychiton acerifolia but there are others you should know about, equally as vibrant. The Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) grows in the wild from the Illawarra area of southern coastal New South Wales north into Queensland. Another reason for its failure to bloom can be insufficient sun; the tree needs full sun to bloom. If you spot spider mites, increase the humidity or set the plant outdoors. Yes, you can prune this tree. If you want to try taking cuttings, try taking greenwood cuttings from Illawarra flame trees in late spring, from a non-flowering branch tip. Impressive features to tie in with pool tiles. The seedlings of flame trees are not deep-rooted so are easy to pull out and control in most gardens. Other Brachychitons like Kurrajong and Bottle trees have deep tap-roots so Flame tree probably does too. Confession I've never mulched the trees but could that be the cause. More than 80 per cent of the countrys flowering plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia, along with most of its freshwater fish and almost half of its birds. The ideal growing conditions for an Illawarra flame tree are: If your location can satisfy all the above conditions then you will be able to grow your very own flame tree in your backyard. Illawarra Flame Tree Native with non-invasive roots. It is only suitable for reliably warm climates. Phellinus noxiousis a fungus that may cause the roots to rot. This removed the toxic hairs on the seeds before eating. A great place to see them is to look down from the heights of Point Lookout, near Ebor on the New England Tableland. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If planted near a structure, their roots could damage the foundational structure of buildings, roads, footpaths and anything else similar. Firstly, try to ensure full sun. It does not spread as widely, so may offer a little less shade, though the wide leaves do offer a deep shade, and it is less drought-tolerant, so it does not suit all situations. They thrive in high heat and can cope with relatively high humidity as well as being drought tolerant, making them a perfect choice for Australian gardens. If there is ever the danger of frost in the typically no-frost zones of 10 to 12 (USDA), cover smaller trees with burlap or a tarp overnight. Illawarra flame trees do have deep taproots, breaking this doesn't mean the end of the tree. Food, shelter and water, all the ingredients for a sustainable sanctuary. It manages to grow in poor and shallow soils. The drains underneath were cactus and it was surcharging every 4-5 weeks. Well, its an ode to the Illawarra flame tree (. Caterpillars (Kurrajong leaf-tier, tailed emperor or leaf-rolling caterpillars). It would be lovely to see more native trees planted in gardens but there are other options that may be better choices as the flame tree is a large tree and probably too big for many small gardens, Jennifer says. It has a reasonably well-behaved root system. We had a large quantity of concrete grout in our 100 mm stormwater drainage in the airport link tunnel. It's easily grown outdoors in parts of Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. It can grow very tall (over 30 metres) in favourable conditions, but in our region it tends to stay a fair bit smaller and only grow to . Be careful of where these are planted though: If you're even thinking of planting any of these trees, call me to chat about your landscape design. If your Illawarra flame tree is becoming overgrown and it needs to be pruned back, yes it can handle heavy pruning. Now its time for plants! If you want to submit your deal, add this product to your cart and complete the checkout process. Description[ edit] This species is a large deciduous tree which forms a pyramidal habit. To prepare them to be eaten they would roast them in a fire, which would remove the toxic hairs. Perhaps some light pruning in the coming months can also help to encourage more foliage growth. It is most showy when the leaves are absent and it is in full flower. Palm canopies grow higher and higher, until all you can see is a telephone pole in the garden. Royal Poinciana. Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. Plant the cutting in a 1-gallon container filled with damp potting mix. For some reference, you can see our article on the best types of mulch for the garden here. Ask your plant nursery specialist or landscaper for recommendations. When adding your mulch, be sure to keep a ring around the trunks so that the base of your trees can still breathe. Pat the soil firm around each seed. Try preserving as much of the taproot as you can though as most of the feeding happens towards the top of the taproot. Choosing a spot with soil that drains well can help lessen the possibility that this fungus will invade. 11. Prefers well-draining loamy or clayey soil. Continue transplanting your seedlings as they grow until you are ready to select a site in your landscape to root the tree. Without adequate light, you might not see the showy red-orange flowers for which the flame tree is known. Most fan flowers need well-drained soil and full sun to thrive. Flowering will usually happen in late spring to early summer after the tree has lost some to all of its leaves, and it usually occurs annually. In between these times, they may only produce one or two branches of flowers on the whole tree. Its stunning red bell-shaped flowers hang from bright red bracts which cover the tree in spring before the foliage emerges. It even got mentioned in a Cold Chisel song how the bright red flowering blinds the weary driver. Stay up to date by joining our newsletter for useful gardening tips specific to Aussie gardens. It is a deciduous tree that is often found growing alongside the Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) in lowland rainforest habitat. In gardens they stop growing when it becomes a waste of energy, so they will grow until they are the tallest thing around, and then stop and focus all their energy on trying to flower as often as possible. Stunning as a feature tree in season. After the flowers are pollinated, boat-shaped seed pods (4- to 5-inch-long) form in large numbers. Plant a flame tree in a location where it has enough space to grow. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. call today. Before germinating your Illawarra flame tree seeds, youll need to prepare them. The size that an Illawarra flame tree will grow does depend on the amount of space it has. Find the best gardening tips, growing guides, gardening tool reviews, plant profiles and more for Australian Gardens, all at Aussie Green Thumb. These trees support and feed a wide range of native animals. These are the worst trees to plant close to your house in a Brisbane (or any Australian) garden. That these gorgeous trees throw spectacular colour around summer time, has meant theyre beauty is often compared to that of the jacaranda tree (. The seeds are surrounded by hairs that will irritate the skin and nose and throat, they are also toxic to native birds and wildlife. Position & Soil. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Avoid touching these, or rubbing your eyes while handling them. Can also be used in large gardens as a feature tree. No. If your Illawarra flame tree doesnt flower one year there is a chance that you are treating it too kindly. Red bell shaped fruit, followed by large boat shaped pods. However, some gardeners, including Jennifer Stackhouse from GardenDrum, an international gardening magazine, prefer to plant both. Mature native trees tend to be able to survive even the worst droughts, and flame trees are well known for their ability to recover from almost any condition. Delonix regia. pipes? Illawarra flame trees are deciduous and are native to the eastern coastal areas of Australia. Leaves Smooth, oval-shaped and can have three or five lobes (and sometimes more). Illawarra Flame Trees ( Brachychiton acerifolius) is one of the most spectacular Australian native trees. It can be entirely in leaf and entirely in flower at the same time. It can grow to a height of around 20 metres but is usually much smaller when grown in a garden. The roots of the Illawarra flame tree are considered to be invasive, so before planting one make sure you place it at least 10 metres away from any structure (especially your home) to avoid any headaches and expenses down the road. Give the tree a balanced liquid fertilizer for four to six weeks after planting and then two to three times per year for the first three years. As they get older however, the problems begin: Frangipani trees, Pink Trumpet trees, Golden Rain trees, Flame trees, Liquid Amber trees and other deciduous trees are wonderful features in the garden and can provide a spectacle in the turning of the seasons. You then will be able to submit your deal. Plants to avoid WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A SEWER BLOCKAGE You can grow an Illawarra flame tree in a pot. Once you see sign of new growth you will be able to back off with the watering and leave it support itself. They can grow almost 1 metre per growing season when planted outside in the ground. Then, simply roast the seeds whole which removes the irritating fibres. A flame tree will grow in a variety of soil conditions as long as there is good drainage. Scientific Name: Brachychiton acerifolius. About The Illawarra Flame Tree Brachychiton acerifolius is a deciduous tree, and one of the most spectacular of our Australian native plants. Camp fireswhere some of lifes most contentious and philosophical topics are discussed . Reline Solutions robotically cut out the concrete and relined the services, returning it to its original state. Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser . We were fearing the worst but Reline Solutions were in and out in half a day and everything was operational again. Ok, so an Illawarra flame tree wont reach 35m in our gardens, but it should reliably get to around 10m tall, and its root will spread the same distance from the base, so make sure to plant these bright trees well away from the house. There is apparently some confusion, or rather misunderstanding, with regard to the Illawarra flame tree This beautiful tree belongs to the same family as the Kurrajong and the bottle . One petal is bigger than the others and hasyellow and white markings. You can help reduce the chances of the branches breaking if you can provide a spot with protection from winds and prune to form a strong branching structure. Trees and shrubs help our environment by giving us shade, privacy and fresh air. The seeds are surrounded by hairs that are toxic to humans and animals. Sometimes they are planted neatly in the ground, and maintained as a topiary. This will encourage root growth in the trenches. Their leaves can grow from 10-30 centimetres long and are a dark green colour and oval shape. The flame tree can be grown in a range of warm climate areas, so certainly offers an alternative to the jacaranda, says Russell. The soil should have adequate drainage and be fertile. YOU MAY HAVE heard the song Flame Trees by Cold Chisel a number of times, but do you know what its really about? The Illawarra flame tree is one of the most iconic native Australian trees, growing wild throughout New South Wales and the tropical east coast. They'll appear under the leaves, but can be removed with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol. After warm autumns, they will typically hold their leaves until late winter, and quickly replace them with fresh spring growth, but following cooler summers or autumns they will drop leaves in early to mid-winter. Notes. HomeAbout UsPlants (Plant Profiles and Gardening Guides)Gardening Tools and ProductsGardening TipsBush Tucker, AGT NewsletterContact UsEarnings DisclaimerPrivacy Policy. The Illawarra flame tree is a native beauty that rivals the jacaranda in spring and summer. In the wild, it can grow up to 35m, but in gardens, it will reach 10m at most with regular maintenance. Especially considering their importance to you guys. Wear gloves if handling them. Ok, so the thought of a 35m tall tree might put off a lot of gardeners, but remember, that height is an adaptation of their natural forest habitat. Each leaf is 10 - 30 cm long. Tree-of-the-Month articles are sponsored by Santa Barbara Beautiful, whose many missions include the increase of public awareness and appreciation of Santa Barbaras many outstanding trees and, in a long-time partnership with the City Parks & Recreation Department, the funding and planting of trees along the Citys streets. Tree roots and sewers There are many trees to avoid planting near sewer pipes. The Illawarra flame tree is part of the Brachychiton genus. Flame trees usually only flower once every 3 to 5 years only if the conditions are right. While youre tending to them, perhaps even feed them with some fertiliser to further boost their nutrient intake. Please note - This list is not comprehensive, consult your local garden centre for advice on which plants are ideal for Brisbane garden planting. The foliage on this species is a bipinnately compound, meaning that each leaf consistsof up to 25 pairs ofleaflets, and each of those leaflets is further divided into up to 25 more pairs of leaflets. To propagate the tree from cuttings: Using a sharp knife, take a cutting about one foot long. Once established, it does well with just our normal rainfall. Roots should have started to form where the existing two trenches were dug, which will help reduce the stress on the tree during its move. Its straight trunk does not have a noticeable bulge at the base, which appears on bottle trees in the same genus. Tropical Flowering Tree Society. The Illawarra Flame Tree, grows in the wild from the Illawarra area of southern coastal New South Wales north into Queensland. Both trees are very showy when in flower because they are leafless at the time, and both produce large numbers of flowers with a sharp colour contrast, maximising their attractiveness, Russell says. Last year, we posed the question, Jacarandas: icons or pests? Firstly, remember that flame trees are predisposed to be big. Feel free to share my posts and contact me with any questions or suggestions. However, some gardeners, E-cigarettes pose a triple threat to the environment, says Clean Up Australia waste report, Australian Geographic Society Expeditions, including Jennifer Stackhouse from GardenDrum, an international gardening magazine, prefer to plant both, Entries now open for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, Environmentalists, Conservationists and Scientists. Also, consider the growing conditions of the Illawarra flame tree. The tree will tolerate clay, loamy, sandy, or gravelly soils in a wide pH range between 4.9 and 10.6. If planted too close, the expanding trunk and roots of a palm tree will lift pavers and have been known to damage retaining walls. Young leaves have a 5- to 7-lobed palmate shape (like maple leaves); when mature, these change into a 3-lobed oval or diamond shape. Planting a few flame trees in your garden will provide habitat for these animals. Fan palm (Licuala ramsayi) Getty A slow growing tree, this palm can grow to 15 metres and features large fan-shaped fronds. Remove any leaves from the lower third. Illawarra Flame Tree. What does Illawarra Flame Tree look like? Propagating Flame Trees. Many of these plants have very strong, extensive root systems which will hunt down any water or nutrient source they can, often quite a distance away. Illawarra flame tree seeds are coated in a fibrous mat of hairs which cause severe irritation of the throat, mouth and tongue, and can create extreme skin rashes too. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. A few months after the jettisoning of the leaves, the tree produces masses of bell-shaped vivid scarlet flowers. You can view our step-by-step guide on growing these trees using a variety of different methods in our post How to Grow an Illawarra Flame Tree. I love seeing flame trees flowering in their natural setting scarlet masses dotted around a sea of dark green rainforest, Russell says. During the late fall months, gradually cut down on the water supply before stopping extra watering during the winter months when the tree goes dormant. We adore these native flowering trees, with bright red bell flowers that attract wildlife, and even provide bush tucker when properly prepared. Bird Attracting, Coastal (Salt Tolerant Plants) Plant I.D. This includes moisture escaping from small cracks in broken pipes and drains, damp area's under pathways or foundations, and stormwater run-off areas. Definitely avoid planting anything within 3 metres of sewer drains and stormwater pipes to reduce the incidence of pipe movement, cracked pipes and blocked drains from tree root intrusion. The root system is very aggressive and strong and will easily knock down a masonry retaining wall. If you are thinking of planting any of these trees in your garden, think again! Most native plants need some stress or adverse conditions to encourage them to flower. 3. I had 3 quotes from plumbers to replace it which involved pulling up our entire driveway and pulling down part of a retaining wall to get to the pipe. The genus name, Brachychiton, is formed from the Greek words brachys, meaning short, andchiton, meaning tunic; when combined, they refer to the shape of the seed coverings. This might also be a drawback because grass won't grow well below it. Illawarra flame trees can be propagated by either growing from seed or by a cutting. The Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) is a large pyramid-shaped tree with glossy leaves.