Dreaming of a backyard that’s vibrant and full of life?
Whether you’re after fresh fruit, shade, or a standout centrepiece, the right tree can transform your garden.
But before anything else, make sure you choose a tree that thrives in your local climate and soil.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best backyard trees in Australia — plus a quick summary of their growing needs.
Top Picks: Best Trees for Aussie Backyards
There are countless trees you can grow in your backyard, depending on your space and landscape style.
Here are some of the best options:
| SMALL TREES | PRIVACY TREES | SHADE TREES | EVERGREEN TREES |
| Crepe myrtle Japanese maple Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ |
Blueberry ash Lilly pilly Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ |
Australian tulipwood Magnolia Tuckeroo |
Bottlebrush Flowering gum trees Native frangipani |
| FRUIT TREES | OLIVE TREES | PALM TREES | – |
| Apricot Lemon Fig |
Arbequina Manzanilla Picual |
Alexandra Australian fan palm Pygmy date palm |
– |
NOTE: Always check local regulations to make sure your chosen tree is not listed as invasive in your area!
Where to Plant Backyard Trees
To help your tree grow healthy, carefully think about where to plant it in your backyard.
Start by choosing an open area where the canopy and roots have room to spread.
Keep trees away from roofs, pathways, and underground pipes to avoid any damage.
Light is another factor. Make sure your tree gets enough light, whether it needs full sun or partial shade.
Not sure where to start? A gardening expert can help you choose the ideal spot for your tree!
Small Backyard Trees
If you’re short on space, don’t worry! There are plenty of small trees that can fit in your backyard (or your front yard).
Just don’t forget to consider the tree’s mature size, particularly its height and canopy spread.
Crepe myrtle
Size: Up to 8m tall and 4m wide
Climate: Warm temperate to subtropical
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a small flowering tree. It does best in hot, dry climates but can tolerate colder temperatures, too.
In late spring, it produces ruffled blooms in vibrant shades of white, pink, red, or purple.
And as the seasons shift, so does crepe myrtle’s foliage.
In autumn, the leaves turn purple, red, or yellow. They then fall in winter, revealing gorgeous mottled branches.
For a native crepe myrtle variety, consider L. archeriana, which reaches around 7m tall.
Japanese maple
Size: Up to 7m tall and wide
Climate: Cool temperate
Growing conditions: Part shade and well-draining soil
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a stunning ornamental tree.
In spring, new maple-shaped leaves emerge in shades of green, red, or purple. By autumn, the foliage turns orange, red, or yellow.
Different Japanese maple cultivars come in different shapes, too.
Some like ‘Bloodgood’ grow upright. Meanwhile, others have a rounded form (like ‘Moonfire’) or a weeping pattern (like ‘Crimson Queen).
Mature trees are often frost-tolerant, but young ones need some protection from freezing temperatures.
Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’
Size: Up to 6m tall and wide
Climate: Cool temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-draining soil
For an eye-catching feature tree in your backyard, plant the ‘Forest Pansy’!
The ‘Forest Pansy’ is a cultivar of the Eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis).
It’s known for its heart-shaped leaves that transform throughout the year.
In spring, glossy purple-red foliage appears, which turns green in summer.
Then the leaves display glowing autumn colours of yellows or oranges before they drop.
By late winter, pink flowers bloom on the bare branches, just before the ‘Forest Pansy’ produces new leaves.
Privacy Trees for Your Backyard
Planting trees in a row can help you create a natural privacy hedge or screen in your backyard.
For year-round coverage, choose evergreen trees. Also, consider the trees’ height and how fast they grow.
Blueberry ash
Size: 8–15m tall and 3–4m wide
Climate: Warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-draining soil
Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus) is a charming option for a privacy screen or hedge.
Its slender form makes it ideal for hedging even in smaller spaces. While it can grow tall (up to 15m), you can prune it to your desired size.
In spring to summer, the blueberry ash produces delicate, pink or white flowers.
After blooming, it develops blue berries that attract native birds.
This evergreen tree is low-maintenance, too. It thrives even in low-nutrient and dry soils, but will flourish with regular watering.
Lilly pilly
Size: Up to 30m tall
Climate: Tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
Lilly pillies are one of the best trees for hedging and screening.
These evergreen Aussie natives provide dense, consistent coverage with green, glossy leaves. They also grow fast, adding 30–60cm of height every year.
Different species come in various sizes, so they can be used to make low, medium, or tall barriers.
You can prune lilly pillies into a neat hedge, or let them grow out for a more natural and casual look.
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’
Size: 4–7m tall and 2–3m wide
Climate: Temperate or tropical
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-draining soil
The Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ is a dwarf cultivar of the Southern Magnolia tree.
Growing to around 7m tall, it’s suitable for low to mid-sized hedges.
It has an upright habit and thick, dark green foliage, which helps create a neat and effective barrier.
In spring and summer, ‘Little Gem’ produces fragrant, creamy white flowers, adding to its appeal.
This tree is also versatile. It tolerates both heat and frost and thrives in various soil types, from sandy to heavy clay.
Shade Trees for Your Backyard
Shade trees not only help cool outdoor spaces. Many also add beauty and character to your garden!
Australian tulipwood
Size: 6–10m tall and 4m wide
Climate: Subtropical and tropical
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Looking for a fast-growing tree that offers plenty of shade? Try the Australian tulipwood (Harpullia pendula).
Native to northern NSW, the tulipwood has a dense, rounded canopy.
It blooms with yellow-green flowers in spring, followed by orange pods in late summer through autumn.
The tulipwood thrives in any frost-free area and is incredibly resilient.
It tolerates drought, poor drainage, and salty winds — a hardy option for Aussie gardens!
Magnolia
Size: 15–20m tall and 7–8m wide
Climate: Warm temperate to subtropical
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
With its dense, wide canopy, the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) makes a wonderful shade tree!
It has glossy green leaves and produces fragrant white flowers from late winter to spring.
Depending on the size of your space, there’s a Magnolia variety to suit.
For a compact option, plant the ‘Teddy Bear’, which grows up to 6m tall.
Meanwhile, ‘Coolwyn Gloss’ and ‘Exmouth’ can reach over 10m, ideal for larger gardens.
Tuckeroo
Size: 5–8m tall and wide
Climate: Warm temperate to subtropical
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade, well-draining soil
The tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) is an Australian native flowering tree.
It provides plenty of shade with its rounded canopy and bright green foliage.
It’s also hardy, standing up well to salty winds, light frost, drought, and even urban pollution.
As for soil, the tuckeroo isn’t picky. It can survive in poor soils as long as it drains well.
However, be mindful of the tuckeroo’s robust root system.
It’s not considered invasive, but it can break through pavements and sidewalks if the tree is planted too close.
In spring, the tuckeroo also produces small orange fruits with black seeds, which can make a mess when they drop.
Evergreen Backyard Trees
For a lush backyard all year round, evergreen trees are a great choice.
They also provide privacy and relief from intense heat!
Bottlebrush
Size: 3-12m tall and 2–5m wide
Climate: Warm temperate to subtropical
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
The bottlebrush (Callistemon) is an iconic Australian native tree that features lush greenery all year.
Aside from its evergreen foliage, it can add a dash of colour to your backyard.
In spring and summer, the bottlebrush bursts with brush-like blooms that attract birds and insects.
Best of all, it’s an adaptable tree that copes well with drought, heat, and almost any soil type, as long as drainage is good.
Flowering gum trees
Size: Up to 15m tall and wide
Climate: Mediterranean or warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Flowering gum trees (Corymbia ficifolia) are part of the Eucalyptus family.
They’re loved for their spectacular summer flowers — most commonly red, but they can also be pink, orange, or white.
If you have limited space in your backyard, plant dwarf flowering gum trees like the ‘Baby Orange’ and ‘Mini Red.’
For larger gardens, you can grow taller types like the standard flowering gum and ‘Summer Glory.’
Native frangipani
Size: Up to 8m tall and 5m wide
Climate: Mediterranean, subtropical, and warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
The native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) is one of the most loved Australian flowers.
In spring and summer, it produces clusters of creamy yellow flowers that smell a bit like honeysuckle.
While the native frangipani can grow very tall in the wild, it usually stays around 8m in gardens.
This flowering evergreen grows well in warm climates and is drought-tolerant once established.
Backyard Fruit Trees
There’s nothing quite like picking fruits from your very own backyard.
Plant a fruit tree or two to create a beautiful and productive mini orchard!
Apricot trees
Size: 1–6m tall and wide
Climate: Cool or warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are part of the stone fruit family, just like cherries and peaches.
In late winter to mid-spring, apricot trees bloom with lovely pink or white flowers.
By summer, they’ll give you a sweet treat with their fuzzy, orange fruit.
Come autumn, apricots display attractive foliage. The leaves turn orange, red, or yellow before falling in winter.
Apricot tree varieties differ in size. Standard types typically reach 3–6m in height, but there are dwarf apricots that grow just 1–3m tall.
Lemon trees
Size: 1.5–6m tall and wide
Climate: Tropical, subtropical, or temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Bring cheerful energy to your backyard with a lemon tree!
The evergreen Citrus limon is loved for its juicy, tangy fruit that can be used in countless recipes.
Fortunately for your kitchen, lemon trees can fruit all year long, especially in warm, sunny conditions.
Besides the harvest, you’ll love the lemon tree’s shiny green leaves and white flowers, which give off a citrus scent.
Popular lemon varieties in Australia include ‘Eureka’ and ‘Lisbon,’ along with the slightly sweeter ‘Meyer.’
Fig trees
Size: 3–5m tall and wide
Climate: Mediterranean or warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
The fig tree (Ficus carica) is a deciduous plant with a spreading habit.
You’ll recognise it with its large, deeply lobed leaves that are dark green on top and paler underneath.
After you plant a fig tree, you only need to wait 2–3 years before it fruits!
Figs are sweet, chewy, and full of tiny, crunchy seeds. You can enjoy them fresh, dried, baked into desserts, or turned into jam.
Popular fig tree varieties to try include ‘Black Genoa,’ ‘Brown Turkey,’ and ‘White Adriatic.’
Olive Trees for Your Backyard
Olive trees (Olea europaea) can bring a timeless charm to your backyard.
They make an excellent ornamental tree, but they’re also practical. You can use the fruit in many ways!
These trees are also drought-tolerant, making them a fantastic addition to water-wise Aussie gardens.
Arbequina
Size: 3–6m tall and 2–3m wide
Climate: Mediterranean
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
If you’re looking for a compact olive tree, plant the Arbequina. It grows up to 6m tall, but can be kept even smaller with regular pruning!
The Arbequina is also very attractive, with graceful weeping branches and silvery-green leaves.
Moreover, it’s self-pollinating, so you don’t need another olive tree for a good harvest.
Once Arbequina fruits, you’ll get aromatic olives with a high oil content — perfect for making your own olive oil.
Manzanilla
Size: 5–8m tall and wide
Climate: Mediterranean
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
The O. europaea ‘Manzanilla’ is known as a table olive due to its fleshy fruit that’s often harvested green.
It’s mainly used for cooking or snacking, and occasionally for making olive oil.
As for appearance, the Manzanilla grows taller than the Arbequina, reaching up to 8m high with a rounded canopy.
Its trunk develops a gnarled appearance, which can add a unique visual interest to your backyard.
Picual
Size: 4–10m tall and 3–5m wide
Climate: Mediterranean
Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
The O. europaea ‘Picual’ is a medium to large tree that can reach up to 10m tall.
It grows upright, with a dense, full canopy and dark green leaves with silvery undersides.
But what sets Picual apart from other olive cultivars is its fruit.
It’s famous worldwide for having an exceptionally high oil content and a robust, peppery flavour.
Picual also bears fruit reliably, so it’ll give you a consistent harvest year after year.
Palm Trees for Your Backyard
Australia is home to more than 50 native palm trees, but even non-native species can grow here, too.
Plant one to turn your backyard into a tropical paradise!
Alexandra palm
Size: 10–25m tall and 7–8m wide
Climate: Tropical and subtropical climates
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade and consistently moist soil
Native to QLD, the Alexandra (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is a tall palm tree with a solitary growth pattern.
In its natural habitat, it can grow up to 30m high. But in garden settings, they usually stay between 10m and 25m.
The trunk is slender and smooth, with distinct leaf scars and a slightly swollen base.
Its crown usually has 8–10 long, feather-like fronds that are green on top and silvery-grey underneath.
Established Alexandra trees are quite drought-tolerant, but they’ll do better with regular waterings in dry periods.
Australian fan palm
Size: 3–6m tall and 2–3m wide
Climate: Tropical and subtropical climates
Ideal conditions: Full or partial shade and consistently moist soil
The Australian fan palm (Licuala ramsayi) is another stunning native plant from QLD.
It makes a great focal point in any garden with its large, pleated, circular fronds that look like a fan or pinwheel.
L. ramsayi also produces drooping flowers that develop into small, orange or red fruits, which attract native birds.
In cooler regions, grow the Australian fan palm in a container and bring it indoors to protect it from frost.
Pygmy date palm
Size: 2–3m tall and 1–2m wide
Climate: Subtropical to warm temperate
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
If you’re after a smaller palm, the pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a great choice.
This dwarf species typically grows up to 3m tall, so it’s suitable even for compact spaces.
The pygmy date palm usually has a single trunk, but you’ll also find multi-stemmed clumps available.
This palm tree is also more frost-tolerant than other types, able to handle frosts down to around −7°C.
FAQs About the Best Backyard Trees
Discover more tips to help you choose the perfect tree for your backyard!
What are the best low-maintenance trees for my backyard?
Some of the best low-maintenance trees for your backyard are as follows:
- Tuckeroo
- Olive trees
- Bottlebrush
- Blueberry ash
- Native frangipani
- Australian tulipwood
- Lemon-scented myrtle
Most of these are Australian native trees that are naturally adapted to local conditions.
For the best results, make sure to check their growing needs and if they’re suited to your area’s climate.
Can I grow trees in a container in my backyard?
Yes, you can grow trees in containers in your backyard.
This is perfect for smaller spaces or if you want to move your plants to shield them from harsh weather.
Be sure to choose a dwarf variety, and use a potting mix that drains well.
Also, remember that trees in pots will need to be watered and fertilised more often.
