There is an old line that the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, and the second best time is today. It is true, but it is also the reason advanced trees exist. Planting a mature specimen closes most of that gap — you get real canopy in a couple of seasons rather than most of a decade.
The question is which tree. Adelaide summers are hard on plants that were bred for gentler climates, and a shade tree only earns its place if it is still looking good in February.
The maples
Maples are what most people picture when they think of a shade tree with autumn colour, and we grow several that handle our conditions.
Autumn Blaze is the standout for sheer reliability. Fast growing, a good symmetrical canopy, and brilliant scarlet autumn colour that holds well. Available from 160 litre at 3.5 metres through to 350 litre specimens at 4.5 metres.
October Glory colours later in the season than most, which is useful if you want to stretch the autumn display out. Available at 160 litre, 4 metres.
Sensation is a more compact option at 130 litre and 2.5 metres — a better fit where a full-size maple would eventually crowd the space.
Acer Campestre, the field maple, is tougher and more tolerant of exposure than the ornamental maples. 285 litre at 4 metres.
The tough performers
If your site is exposed, the soil is difficult, or you simply want something that will not need fussing over, these are the ones we recommend.
Chinese Elm is close to indestructible. It handles heat, poor soil and neglect, and still forms a handsome spreading canopy. From 250 litre at 3 metres up to 350 litre at 4–5 metres.
Claret Ash gives deep burgundy autumn tones and grows quickly. 130 litre at 3.5 metres, or 150 litre at 4 metres.
Zelkova has a lovely vase-shaped habit and is closely related to the elms, sharing much of their toughness. 130 litre at 3 metres.
Ornamental and feature trees
Not every tree is planted for shade. Some are there to be looked at, and a well-placed ornamental specimen can carry a whole garden.
Japanese Maple — delicate foliage, superb autumn tones, and small enough for a courtyard. 100 litre from $880.
Crepe Myrtle flowers for over a hundred days. Natchez carries deep red autumn tones; Tuscarora is vibrant pink. Both are standouts in any garden.
Liquid Amber Gumball is our statement piece — trees that are over twenty years old, with structure that never needs pruning and looks good in every season.
Magnolia Greenback is evergreen, with glossy green leaves and white flowers.
Driveways and boundaries
A line of trees along a driveway is a different problem again, because the shape of the tree matters as much as the species.
Manchurian Pear has a classic wine-glass form — spring blossom, dense summer green, strong autumn colour. 250 litre at 4 metres.
Chanticleer Pear is noticeably more upright, which makes it the right choice for tight access driveways and narrow fence lines. 250 litre specimens at 6 metres.
How fast is fast?
With advanced stock you are not starting from nothing. A 250 litre tree planted this spring is already throwing useful shade in its first summer, and reads as an established part of the garden within two to three seasons.
The trees are grown onsite here in Adelaide, so they are acclimatised before they ever reach you. Prices include GST and we deliver across South Australia.