Subject to wind and salt, coastlines are harsh environments. The degree to which trees can adapt to conditions means that knowing how close you are planting to the actual coastline is important to tree selection.

For planting right on the beach, deemed ‘frontline’ coastal, trees and plants need to have an in-built propensity to tolerate salt-laden winds. This vegetation often has fine foliage, and trees are dense in form to control erosion and provide an effective wind barrier.

Think of the low-laying scrub and tea tree you see at the beach. The vegetation that exists there hugs the ground as much as possible so that the harsh coastal, salty winds can scoot over the top. Within these microclimates, you will find tough growing conditions too where salt residue combines with sandy soil making establishment difficult. But trees and plants will grow there.

In high winds, trees with narrow leaves are considered an appropriate selection as their thin foliage offers less friction and resistance to harsh wind. This is a good coping mechanism in a frontline coastal position. In another example, waxy, broader-leafed trees also cope well. It is their hard or rubbery attribute that allows them to withstand the absorption of salt.

Frontline Coastal

L-R: Allocasuarina littoralis, Banksia integrifolia, Olea europaea ‘Manzanillo’

These selections are true frontline warriors and sit at the top of our list.

• Allocasuarina - verticillata, littoralis & torulosa
• Banksia integrifolia and the narrower growing ‘Sentinel’
• Leptospermum  laevigatum (Coastal Tea Tree) and polygalifolium (Yellow Tea Tree)
• Olea (Olive) – including ‘Tolley’s Upright,’ Manzanillo, ‘Swan Hill’ and ‘Mission’

Second Tier

L-R: Laurus nobilis, Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’, Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’

Walk back 500m or a couple of streets from a ‘frontline’ position and the list of suitable trees broaden. Here you can confidently consider:  

• Laurus nobilis (Bay Tree
• Leptospermum petersonii (Lemon Tea Tree) and Leptospermum ‘Starry Night’
• Agonis flexosa including varietals ‘Burgundy’ and ‘Lemon & Lime’
• Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
• Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese Laurel)
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ 
• Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’ (Italian Pencil Pine)
• Elaeocarpus reticulatus

Third Tier

L-R: Waterhousea floribunda ST1 ‘Whisper’, Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’, Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea

A note on microclimates, if the immediate planting area is sheltered naturally with habitat or manufactured barriers managing temperature, light, wind and moisture, the following trees have proven to us to be very accommodating of the coastal environment with impressive results:

• Waterhousea floribunda ST1 ‘Whisper’
• Tristaniopsis laurina DOW ‘Luscious’ TM
• Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea

Second and third-tier selections have the potential of being burnt by salty winds, so it is always recommended to plant them out with other vegetation for combined protection. The other thing Speciality Trees would recommend is improving the soil where possible with the addition of quality organic compost, additional imported screened soil and wetting agents.

Don’t forget to mulch to a depth of 80mm. Coastal soils are often aquaphobic or water-repellent so the use of soil additives is a must to ensure tree establishment in this challenging environment.

For a broader list than what has been provided here, please visit Speciality Trees.