Podocarpus elatus – Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Podocarpus elatus, commonly known as Brown Pine or Plum Pine, is a large, evergreen Australian native tree valued for its dense foliage and long life. It develops a tall, straight trunk with dark, rough bark and a broad crown. The leaves are glossy, narrow, and dark green, held in neat arrangements along spreading branches. In spring, small flowers appear, followed by fleshy purple-black fruits that resemble plums and are attractive to birds and other wildlife. Mature specimens can reach 20–30 metres in height with a spread of 6–10 metres in ideal conditions.

This species has a slow to moderate growth rate and is highly adaptable to a variety of soils, provided drainage is good. Podocarpus elatus is hardy, evergreen, frost tolerant once established, and performs well in both coastal and inland gardens. It is low-maintenance, requiring little pruning, and provides year-round structure and shade.

They look excellent when used as feature trees in large gardens, planted in avenues for formal landscapes, or included in civic plantings and parks. They also provide significant habitat value and make long-lived shade trees in native garden designs.

Common Name: Brown Pine / Plum Pine

Genus: Podocarpus

Botanical Species: Podocarpus elatus

Family: Podocarpaceae

Botanical Name: Podocarpus elatus

• 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.

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

Mature Height: 8–12 m

Mature Width: 4–6 m

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

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

They are considered to have a:

• Medium Growth Rate

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.

• Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
• Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
• Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
• Sydney & Central Coast
• South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
• Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)

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:

• Spring

Flower Type:

• Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Yes

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

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.

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

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

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?

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.