Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree)

Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree)
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 1300.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,300.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

9998 in stock

Title: 200L

200L 100L 40cm/45L

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.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree)

Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as Broad-leaved Paperbark, is a hardy Australian native tree renowned for its distinctive peeling bark and creamy-white bottlebrush flowers that bloom from late summer to autumn. Growing 8–25 meters tall with a 5–10 meter spread, it features dull grey-green to mid-green lance- to egg-shaped leaves with prominent veins and soft-haired new growth.

This evergreen tree forms a broad, rounded canopy that provides light shade and attracts wildlife. Highly adaptable, it thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including poorly drained and seasonally waterlogged areas. Low-maintenance and resilient, it’s perfect for feature planting in gardens, parks, wetland restoration, and ecological revegetation projects—bringing texture, habitat value, and sculptural presence to any landscape.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5 – 10 metres

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

Frost Tolerance

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) frost tolerant?

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) an Australian Native? Yes

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) is Native to Native to coastal eastern Australia and southern New Guinea, where it grows in wetlands, swamps, and along waterways.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Broad-leaved Paperbark

Genus: Melaleuca

Botanical Species: quinquenervia

Family: Myrtaceae

Botanical Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia

Landscape Uses

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

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark 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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Tips: Ensuring a Strong Start

Site Selection: Prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soils, but adapts to dry conditions once established.

Digging the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.

Planting: Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.

Mulching: Apply a 5–7cm mulch layer around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering: Regular watering during establishment; deep watering during dry periods helps maintain lush foliage.

Feature Planting: Space 6 – 10 m apart to allow canopy development
Habitat/Restoration Projects: 4 – 6 m for environmental density
Shelterbelts/Erosion Control: 5 – 7 m spacing depending on site needs

Caring for Your Tree

Watering: Water regularly while young; once mature, it requires minimal watering unless in extreme drought.

Fertilizing: Generally does not require fertilization, but a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer can encourage growth in poor soils.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required, but light shaping after flowering can enhance appearance.

Pest & Disease Monitoring: Generally pest-free, but keep an eye out for scale insects or fungal issues in overly damp conditions.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Melaleuca quinquenervia is highly adaptable and thrives in both wet and dry conditions, making it one of the best choices for variable environments:

Sandy Soil: Requires regular watering initially, but thrives in coastal and floodplain areas.

Clay Soil: Naturally tolerant of compacted and waterlogged soils, making it an excellent choice for clay-heavy sites.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for balanced growth, offering good moisture retention and aeration.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Tolerates a wide pH range, making it highly versatile.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) is expected to grow Approx 50 – 100 cm per year (moderate to fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Melaleuca quinquenervia (paper bark tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer
Autumn

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Cream

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.

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