Which verge tree, up to 3 metres?

twolny

Hi

I have a council verge that is approx 2 metres wide and 15 long. It has grass that does become reasonably green during the wet season, but the soil itself is incredibly hard.

Can anyone recommend a tropical, fast growing tree, that is suitable for planting in this dry, compacted soil.

I'm hoping to plant two or three spaced 3-4 metres apart. I'd like a reasonable canopy 2-3 metres, that can cope with full sun, dry season(<4 months), and then later on, half day shade as there will be a Rain tree (Samanea Saman) that in about 2 years will block sunlight to the verge trees for half the day. Living in Darwin, there will also be up to 5 months of soaking rains. Preferably the trees will grow to about 3-4 metres and are fairly capable of surviving strong winds.

In between the trees I'd consider planting something like mondo grass and some other fillers, that would help feed the tree (if possible) or make the soil better over time.

Any ideas much appreciated.
I expect the answers will be some sort of palm, but would prefer something more "normal" treelike.
I guess something like this, but a bit smaller:

Sean Freeman

Strongly suggest you consult books like John Brock 'Native Plants of Northern Australia'

You are looking for midstorey trees, since you are in Darwin the wet schlerophyll or monsoon forest species should work for you.

twolny

Great! Thanks for your help - I'll drop into the uni bookshop which has it in stock.

jeffswede

Maybe Camphor?
Jeff

jeffswede

Or, Shinnus molle (california pepper).
Jeff

Garry Brockley

Camphor laurel is classed as a weed here and they grow enormous not really suitable for a small verge.

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jmcg.insight.gardens

Hi, I,m not an Arborist but I am a Horticulturalist studying a Diploma in Landscape Design. Your local Council has guidelines regarding what you can plant, these recommendations are there for a good reason, for example are there power lines, will you be blocking the view for traffic using the road? If I were you I would do some research first, try these links as they are what you need to address before you plant,http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/aboutcou..._strip_000.pdf, also look at
http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/document...onbook06v2.pdf , both these sites would prove informative.
If in any doubt please contact your local council Arborist they are more than willing to help you. Although not on the list, the Tuckeroo, Cupaniopsis
anacardioides is used as a street tree down here on the Central Coast NSW, it looks much like your image and is a native to your area, tough and evergreen, but I would check with your council Arborist, there could be a reason its not on the list. Another link to investigate is http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/document...am_request.pdf, its always great to get free stuff from council:: Best of luck, Julie McGoldrick, Insight Gardens.

Sean Freeman

I think Julie has given you the best advice......it is absolutely correct that the vegetation/nature strip is land under generally the control and management of your local council and as such requires permission before removing or planting any vegetation in there.

The docs that Julie posted links to are very good and Darwin is quite proactive.

On a personal note please consider some other species than Tuckeroo.....its a great hardy and resiliant tree but somewhat overused.

I also note with disappointment that Murraya paniculata is still on their list of suitable species.

Anyway as i said great advice from Julie and a good save since my advice would have you digging up the footpath and run the risk of a fine at the very least.....