- Mature height
- 20m to 30m
- Mature width
- 10m to 15m
Toona ciliata, the Australian Red Cedar, is a large deciduous native with an upright trunk and a broad, spreading crown. Long pinnate leaves carry many leaflets and flush coppery red before settling to green. Sprays of small cream flowers appear in spring. Autumn colour is a soft yellow before the tree stands bare.
It wants full sun, deep soil and reliable moisture while establishing. Warm temperate and subtropical east coast conditions suit it, from the Illawarra north through the Northern Rivers into south east Queensland. Growth runs 60 centimetres to 1 metre a year in good ground. Heavy frost damages young growth, so shelter it in the early years.
Expect 15 to 25 metres in cultivation, taller again in rainforest. It works on rural properties, in parks, in revegetation and creek line work, and as a shade tree where there is real space. Councils specify it for native canopy and habitat value, and growers plant it for its famous red timber.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Australian Red Cedar
What is Australian Red Cedar?
Toona ciliata is a large deciduous tree native to the rainforests of eastern Australia, from the Illawarra north into Queensland. It carries long pinnate leaves that flush coppery red in spring, then green, and drops them in winter. Its red timber made it one of the most sought after trees in the country.
How big does Toona ciliata grow?
In gardens and parks expect 15 to 25 metres tall with a broad spreading crown of similar proportion. In its native rainforest it goes considerably higher, well over 30 metres in old growth stands. This is a tree for acreage, parkland and large rural properties rather than a standard suburban block.
Is Australian Red Cedar deciduous?
Yes, and it is one of the few Australian natives that drops its leaves completely. Foliage yellows and falls through late autumn and the tree stands bare over winter, then flushes red new growth in spring. The bare period is short in warm coastal districts and longer in cooler inland areas.
Where does Australian Red Cedar grow best in Australia?
It is happiest in warm temperate and subtropical east coast conditions, from the Illawarra and Sydney basin north through the Northern Rivers to south east Queensland. It also performs in sheltered gardens further inland where the soil is deep and moisture reliable. Heavy frost and long dry spells both slow it down.
How fast does it grow?
Growth is moderate to fast, around 60 centimetres to 1 metre a year in deep fertile soil with reliable moisture. On poorer, drier ground it is noticeably slower. Trees establish best with a well mulched root zone and regular water through the first two years, after which the pace picks up markedly.
When does it flower?
Sprays of small cream flowers appear in spring, usually September to November. They are lightly scented and not showy from a distance, but they carry well and attract insects. Small woody capsules follow and split to release winged seed. The tree is grown for its canopy and foliage rather than its flowers.
How do I care for an Australian Red Cedar?
Keep water up through the first two summers and mulch well. The main issue is the cedar tip moth, which bores into new shoots and causes bushy, forked growth. Check the new growth in spring and summer, cut out affected tips, and train a single leader while the tree is young. Early formative pruning saves work later.
