Chookie,

Thanks for your feedback and useful information.

Whether I REALLY need the evergreen is not such an issue, the main issue
is that I REALLY want an evergreen.

Regards

David

Chookie wrote:
In article ,
David wrote:


I am wanting to plant a tree for shade in the backyard.

I require something that is evergreen and fast growing that will provide
plenty of shade. Probably something that grows to around 8m-10m would be
manageable.


Do you *really* need an evergreen? Is the place you want to sit too
hot/bright in winter as well? It's often better to use a deciduous plant that
provides shade in summer, but lets the sun through in winter. Broad-leafed
deciduous plants provide heavier shade when you need it in summer. However,
they grow more slowly than some other plants. A fruit tree is another option,
but don't get a citurs (stink bugs) or a tree that will need treatment for
fruit fly (otherwise, I'd agree with Len's mango suggestion). How about a
macadamia or jujube?

In terms of evergreens -- wattles are fast-growing, but not all species
provide good shade. Look for larger leaves, or the ferny kind of leaf.
Acacia parramattensis (Parramatta wattle, as you can probably guess) grows to
about 8m quite quickly (5years). We have one to the west side that provides
us with enough shade for a seat at midday and for half a dozen chairs in the
afternoon (and a sweet scent when it's in bloom). There are probably species
local to you that could do a similar job; speak to a native nursery. There
are also some small native rainforest trees that might work. Backhousia
citriodora (Lemon-scented myrtle -- use the leaves in cooking), Pittosporum
undulatum (I've eaten at a table under one of these, but that would have been
a 30-year-old tree), Agonis flexuosa, Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese Tree) --
you could even prune some bottle-brushes to do the job. Another option is to
put up a pergola and grow passionfruit on it.

You should consider what plant would look good next to your house, in flower
and not -- some colours clash. Also consider what's in your garden -- a
garden of succulents with a mulberry tree stuck into it would look very odd.


We have a Indian Rubber Tree (Burgandy) as an indoor plant, would this
be suitable if we plant it outside ?


No. Have a look at the mature height listed here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rubber_tree

Last points: the time to plant trees is March-April. Tube-stock is normally
more robust (and is more economical) than larger plant sizes, especially if
you are going with natives. Tubestock usually outstrip plants from larger
pots in two or three years.


--

Kind Regards

David Huisman
General Manager
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ORBIT COMMUNICATIONS Pty Ltd - Wireless Solutions that Work
(Telemetry, Control, Monitoring, Security, HVAC ...)
A.C.N. 107 441 869


Website : http://www.orbitcoms.com
PO Box 4474 Lakehaven
NSW 2263, AUSTRALIA
Phone: 61-2-4393-3627
Fax : 61-2-4393-3685
Mobile: 61-413-715-986