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Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

$260.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 300L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.3m – 1.8m Approx.

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 to 12m (to 30m in ideal conditions)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

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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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Podocarpus elatus, the Brown Pine or Plum Pine, is a tall evergreen Australian native conifer with a straight trunk, dark furrowed bark and a dense dark green crown. The narrow glossy leaves are arranged neatly along spreading branches, and the new growth flushes a lighter bronze green in spring.

It grows slowly to moderately, at 20 to 40 centimetres a year, in full sun to part shade and any soil that drains. It handles coastal exposure, humidity and light to moderate frost once established, and suits subtropical through temperate climates. Mature trees are drought hardy and need almost no attention.

In ideal conditions mature trees reach 20 to 30 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide, though garden specimens usually sit well short of that. It is used as a shade and avenue tree in parks and civic landscapes, and clipped as a tall hedge. It is long lived and holds its structure year round.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Brown Pine

What is Podocarpus elatus?

Brown Pine, also called Plum Pine or Illawarra Plum, is an Australian native conifer from the rainforest margins of eastern New South Wales and Queensland. Despite the common name it is not a true pine. It carries small cones rather than true flowers, and female trees produce a fleshy purple black fruit.

How big does it grow?

In deep rainforest soil it can reach 20 to 30 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide over a long life. In open garden and street conditions it is usually a good deal smaller and slower. The narrow crown and slow growth mean it can be held as a clipped screen at 3 to 5 metres.

How fast does it grow?

Growth is slow to moderate, around 20 to 40 centimetres a year. That pace is part of its appeal for hedging and formal work, because it holds its shape between trims. Warm humid conditions, deep soil and regular water in the establishment years produce the fastest growth this species will give.

Is the fruit edible?

The fleshy purple black part is edible and has long been used as a bush food, with a mild resinous plum flavour. The hard seed attached to it is not eaten. Trees are either male or female, so only some plants fruit. Birds take the fruit readily, which is worth allowing for over paving.

Is it frost tolerant?

Established plants take light to moderate frost, which covers most coastal and near coastal parts of eastern Australia. Young plants are more tender and benefit from shelter through their first two winters. In cold inland districts with heavy repeated frost it is not a reliable choice for exposed positions.

Is it suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It occurs naturally close to the coast and stands up to salt wind and sandy soil provided drainage is good. The dense foliage makes it a useful windbreak and screen in seaside gardens. In very exposed positions growth is slower and the crown stays more compact, which is often an advantage.

How do I care for Podocarpus elatus?

Water regularly for the first two years, after which it manages on rainfall in most coastal districts. Mulch the root zone with leaf litter or bark. It needs almost no pruning as a tree and takes clipping well as a hedge. A slow release fertiliser in spring helps growth on poorer soils.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.

Is Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine Evergreen or Deciduous?

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m to 12m (to 30m in ideal conditions)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

Growth Rate of Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Is Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine frost tolerant?

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine Flower?

Podocarpus elatus produces very small, inconspicuous male and female cones in spring. While not ornamental, these structures mature into fleshy purple-blue fruits that resemble plums, adding a subtle seasonal feature among the glossy dark green foliage.

Does Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine flower?

No - Doesn't Flower

Flowering Period:

Not Applicable

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is Native to Native to eastern Australia, from southern New South Wales through Queensland rainforests.

What is the Wildlife Value of Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine ?

Its fruit is highly attractive to fruit-eating birds such as figbirds and currawongs, while the dense, layered foliage provides excellent shelter, nesting habitat and protection for small birds. The tree’s evergreen structure also supports insects and microfauna, making it a strong ecological contributor in native and suburban plantings.

How much Sunlight does Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine need?

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Podocarpus elatus performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained positions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then move to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support healthy evergreen growth, strong root development and reliable fruiting.

Is Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine Drought Tolerant?

Is Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires consistent watering, but once established Brown Pine develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils but will cope with occasional dry periods when supported by deep, infrequent watering, maintaining dense evergreen growth even in warm climates.

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How To Plant Your Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun with good air movement and room for the canopy to develop.

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

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, avoiding any low spot where water might pool.

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

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

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.

Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch or pine bark over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk to avoid waterlogging at the base.

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 scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine in Different Soil

Podocarpus elatus 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.