Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

$120.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Title: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 200L

All stock is grown, maintained and graded in strict accordance with AS 4373-2007, Australian Standard for Nursery Stock.

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.6 m – 1.8 m Approx.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.
200L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5 – 10 metres

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

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About Your New Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Melaleuca quinquenervia, the Broad-leaved Paperbark, is a hardy Australian native grown for its distinctive thick papery cream bark and fluffy creamy-white bottlebrush flowers. The soft layered bark gives the tree strong year-round character and sculptural appeal.

Paperbark grows to 8-15 metres tall and 5-8 metres wide, forming a broad rounded canopy of grey-green to mid-green lance-shaped leaves that casts light shade. It suits feature planting in gardens and parks, wetland restoration, and ecological revegetation, bringing texture and habitat value to the landscape.

Paperbark is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to part shade across a wide range of soils, and it is unusually versatile in tolerating both drought and waterlogged or seasonally wet ground once established. It performs well across NSW, QLD, and frost-free parts of VIC, WA and the NT, attracting honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees with its autumn and spring flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

How tall does the Paperbark Tree grow?

Melaleuca quinquenervia grows to 8-15 metres tall and 5-8 metres wide with an upright spreading canopy.

How fast does the Paperbark grow?

The Broad-leaved Paperbark is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year once established.

What does the bark look like?

Melaleuca quinquenervia has distinctive thick, spongy, papery bark in cream and white tones that peels in soft layers, giving the tree its common name and strong year-round visual interest.

Is the Paperbark Tree an Australian native?

Yes. Melaleuca quinquenervia is native to coastal eastern Australia, ranging from NSW through QLD.

Can the Paperbark tolerate wet soil?

Yes. The Paperbark is unusually versatile, tolerating both waterlogged soils and drought once established, which makes it ideal for difficult sites and areas with variable drainage.

When does the Paperbark flower?

The Paperbark produces fluffy cream-white bottlebrush-like flowers mainly in autumn and spring, attracting honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees.

Where does the Paperbark grow best in Australia?

The Paperbark thrives across NSW, QLD, and frost-free parts of VIC, WA and the NT, tolerating coastal exposure and a wide range of soils.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Features and Benefits

Organically certified product
Improves aeration for roots
A rich blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, Gypsum, composted coarse bark and wetting agent
Excellent to mix with heavy clay soils, an organic mixture with added gypsum which is perfect for exotic plants
Revitalises tired soils, adds nutrient and organic matter, no chemical additives, weed free
Assists in retaining moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering

Directions For Use

Water plant well at least several hours prior to planting.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and 7cm deeper than the pot.
Mix Grow Better Enriched Planting Mix with the soil that has been dug out of the hole, adding about 1/3 planting mix.
Spread a 7cm layer of improved soil in the hole and remove plant from the pot. Tease roots gently if the root ball is very firm and place plant in the planting hole. Check that pot soil is level with the surrounding soil surface level, not higher or lower.
Fill in the hole with improved soil mixture, firm down soil and water well adding Grow Better Plant Starter to final watering.

View full details

Type:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Revegetation or Regeneration
Rural Property Planting

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5 – 10 metres

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

Growth Rate of Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree frost tolerant?

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Flower?

Melaleuca quinquenervia produces creamy-white to soft yellow bottlebrush-style flowers from late spring through autumn. These fluffy cylindrical blooms occur in repeated flushes and contrast beautifully with the iconic layered papery bark and broad, bright green foliage.

Does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer
Autumn

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is Native to Native to coastal eastern Australia and southern New Guinea, where it grows in wetlands, swamps, and along waterways.

What is the Wildlife Value of Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree ?

Its nectar-rich blooms attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and a variety of beneficial insects. The thick, textured bark provides habitat for insects and microfauna, while the dense canopy offers excellent nesting and shelter for small birds. In wetland settings, it also supports frogs and moisture-loving wildlife, making it one of the most ecologically valuable native trees.

How much Sunlight does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree need?

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Melaleuca quinquenervia performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy soils and tolerates slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Although adaptable, it may struggle in compacted, heavy clay unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure, drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its unique bark development, evergreen canopy health and steady seasonal flowering.

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Drought Tolerant?

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established the Paperbark Tree offers good drought tolerance. It thrives in both wet and dry conditions and is especially suited to seasonal flooding, though it benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells to maintain vigorous growth.

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How To Plant Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree in Different Soil

Melaleuca quinquenervia performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Melaleuca quinquenervia suitable for wet areas?
A: Yes, it thrives in waterlogged or seasonally inundated soils, making it ideal for wetland restoration and riparian planting.

Q: Can Melaleuca quinquenervia be pruned to control size?
A: Yes, it responds well to pruning, especially when young, to shape form or manage height.

Q: Does it attract wildlife?
A: Absolutely. The creamy-white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds.