- Mature height
- 10m to 15m
- Mature width
- 5m to 8m
Stenocarpus sinuatus, the Firewheel Tree, is an Australian native from the Proteaceae family with a rounded, upright crown. The glossy dark green leaves are broad and often deeply lobed, giving it a tropical look, and from late summer into autumn it carries circular clusters of scarlet flowers arranged like spokes on a wheel.
It grows to about 8 to 12 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, adding 30 to 50 centimetres a year. Full sun suits it best, though young trees appreciate part shade. Deep, fertile, well drained soil is important. Warm temperate, subtropical and tropical districts suit it, and young plants are frost sensitive.
It works as a feature tree in larger gardens, in parks and civic landscapes, and as an avenue or street tree where the autumn flowers can be seen at close range. The bold foliage carries tropical and subtropical planting schemes. Flowers are nectar rich, so birds arrive as soon as the tree matures.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Firewheel Tree
What is the Firewheel Tree?
Stenocarpus sinuatus is an evergreen rainforest tree native to the east coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales. It belongs to the Proteaceae, the same family as grevilleas and banksias, and takes its common name from the wheel shaped clusters of red flowers it produces once mature. The glossy lobed foliage is ornamental in its own right.
How big does the Firewheel Tree grow?
Mature trees reach roughly 8 to 12 metres in height with a canopy 4 to 6 metres across, forming a rounded and fairly upright shape. In cultivation it usually stays at the lower end of that range, particularly in cooler districts. It is slower and more restrained than most rainforest trees of similar final size.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs from late summer into autumn, broadly February through to April, with the heaviest display in warm years. The flowers open in tight circular clusters of bright red, often held inside the canopy as well as on the outside. Trees usually need several years in the ground before they flower reliably.
Is it frost tolerant?
It tolerates light to moderate frost once established, but young plants are easily damaged by cold and should be protected through their first few winters. In frost prone districts choose a sheltered position with overhead cover from larger trees or a warm north facing wall. It is not suited to areas with heavy or repeated frosts.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun gives the best flowering and the densest canopy. Young trees grow happily in part shade, and in habitat they begin life beneath a rainforest canopy, so some protection early on is natural for the species. In hot inland positions, afternoon shade while the tree establishes reduces stress on the foliage.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It performs best in subtropical and warm temperate coastal regions, from far north Queensland down through Brisbane, the Northern Rivers and into Sydney. It will grow in Perth and in sheltered parts of Melbourne given good drainage and frost protection. Deep fertile soil and reliable summer moisture matter more than latitude.
How do I care for a Firewheel Tree?
Keep the root zone mulched and water regularly through the first two summers. Feed in spring with a low phosphorus native fertiliser, since members of the Proteaceae are sensitive to high phosphorus. Prune only lightly to shape the crown and lift lower branches, ideally after flowering finishes. Once established it needs little beyond a deep watering in dry spells.
