How to Plant a Tree in a Difficult Spot

Four tough trees for poor soils, exposed sites and harsh conditions.

Australian NativeDrought TolerantHardy

Difficult spots come in several flavours: stony exposed sites, sandy coastal blocks, heavy compacted clay, dry inland sites. The trick is matching the tree to the difficulty. These four reliably handle the toughest situations.

For stony exposed sites: Olea europaea Olive

Olives evolved on rocky Mediterranean hillsides. Stone, drought and exposed sun are their natural habitat.

For sandy coastal sites: Banksia integrifolia

Coast Banksia handles sand, salt and wind without complaint. The Australian native specialist.

For heavy clay: Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong

Kurrajong handles compacted clay and prolonged drought. The inland Australian native built for tough soils.

For dry inland sites: Acacia pendula Weeping Myall

Weeping Myall is the elegant inland-tough native. Silver-grey weeping foliage on a frame bred for harsh conditions.

How to plant in difficult spots

Dig the hole even wider than usual. Backfill with native soil. Mulch heavily. Stake young trees against wind. Water deeply in the first summer.

1. Olea europaea (Olive)

Olives tolerate poor stony soils and exposed dry sites.

Type: Evergreen feature tree
Height: 4 to 6 m
Width: 3 to 4 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Silver-grey
Form: Open rounded
Conditions: Full sun, free-draining
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Stony exposed sites and poor soils.

Why choose it

Native to rocky Mediterranean hillsides.

Perfect pair

Olive feature with a Westringia hedge.

Tips for planting

Mound the planting hole in heavy soils.

Tough-site classic.

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2. Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia)

Coast Banksia handles sand, salt and wind without complaint.

Type: Evergreen native tree
Height: 6 to 10 m
Width: 3 to 5 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Silver-green
Form: Upright open
Conditions: Full sun, sandy soils
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Sandy coastal and exposed sites.

Why choose it

Bred by sand dunes for sand dunes.

Perfect pair

Banksia feature with a Westringia hedge.

Tips for planting

Avoid phosphorus-heavy fertiliser.

Sand specialist.

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3. Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong)

Kurrajong handles compacted clay and prolonged drought.

Type: Evergreen native tree
Height: 8 to 15 m
Width: 4 to 6 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Form: Bottle-trunked
Conditions: Full sun, any soil
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Heavy clay and inland sites.

Why choose it

Inland Australian native built for tough soils.

Perfect pair

Kurrajong feature with a Westringia hedge.

Tips for planting

Avoid overwatering in clay.

Clay specialist.

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4. Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall)

Weeping Myall is the elegant inland-tough native for difficult sites.

Type: Evergreen native tree
Height: 6 to 10 m
Width: 4 to 6 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Silver-grey weeping
Form: Weeping
Conditions: Full sun, any soil
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Difficult inland sites with poor soil.

Why choose it

Inland native bred for tough dry conditions.

Perfect pair

Myall feature with a Westringia hedge.

Tips for planting

Avoid waterlogged soils.

Tough but elegant.

Shop Acacia pendula

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Olea europaea Olive	4 to 6 m	3 to 4 m	Open rounded	Silver-grey	Stony exposed sites and poor soils.
Banksia integrifolia Coast Banksia	6 to 10 m	3 to 5 m	Upright open	Silver-green	Sandy coastal and exposed sites.
Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong	8 to 15 m	4 to 6 m	Bottle-trunked	Glossy dark green	Heavy clay and inland sites.
Acacia pendula Weeping Myall	6 to 10 m	4 to 6 m	Weeping	Silver-grey weeping	Difficult inland sites with poor soil.