Litsea glutinosaIndian Laurel Tree

Wide-crowned and quick to establish, Litsea glutinosa is a laurel-family tree of monsoon Asia and northern Australia, with broad elliptic leaves that are softly hairy beneath and aromatic when crushed. It colonises disturbed ground readily, which is exactly the quality that makes it useful on hard sites.

It is planted for shade and shelter in parks and along roads, and used in revegetation where a fast evergreen canopy is needed on poor soil.

Specifications

• Height8 to 15 metres
• Width6 to 10 metres
• Native toSouthern and Southeast Asia through to northern Australia
• FoliageBroad, elliptic leaves, softly hairy beneath and aromatic when crushed; evergreen
• Growth rateFast

Conditions

• SoilTolerates a wide range of soils, including poor and disturbed ground; prefers free drainage
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate; tolerates dry spells once established
• ClimateThrives in tropical and subtropical regions

Additional Features

• FormDense spreading crown on a short trunk
• FlowersSmall yellowish flowers in short clusters
• UsesIdeal for park and roadside shade, shelter planting and revegetation of disturbed sites
• SpacingPlant 6 to 8 metres apart for a closed canopy
• Low MaintenanceRequires formative pruning only; establishes without special care
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust across its climate range
• Wildlife AttractionSmall black fruit is taken readily by birds

Litsea glutinosa is a workhorse shade tree for hard sites, and it puts canopy over disturbed ground faster than most.