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Summary

Found in Australia, Lophostemon confertus or commonly known as Vinegar Tree is a fast-growing tree used as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland. It grows up to 40 m in height. The bole is straight, cylindrical, and can be up to 300 cm in diameter. The bark yields tannins. The wood is very strong and very durable, and usually used in shipbuilding, making bridges, floors, wooden tram rails, and as a general building timber.

Physical Characteristics

Lophostemon confertus is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lophostemon arborescens Schott Melaleuca conferta (R.Br.) Steud. Tristania conferta Griff. Tristania

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin Wood

Shade tree. Street tree. Specimen. Public open space. Large planter. Conservatory. Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing tree, able to cope with a wide range of soils and climates, it is a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodland[694 ]. Other Uses The bark is a source of tannins[517 , 601 ]. The wood is pale in colour, sometimes brown, it turns grey on exposure. It is very strong, very durable and unlikely to be attacked by white ants[601 , 694 ]. When polished, it has a very pretty grain[601 ]. On aging, it becomes extremely hard and blunts saws[156 ]. It is difficult to season - planks and slabs of the wood crack, warp, twist, and shell in the most extraordinary manner, unless the greatest care be exercised both in the time of cutting of the timber and the seasoning[601 ]. It is used in shipbuilding; for making wharves and bridges; as a general building timber, particularly for floors and weatherboards; mallets, chisel handles, planes etc[46 , 517 , 601 ]. It was used extensively as wooden tram rails, becoming polished and very hard with use[156 ]. Ribs of vessels made from this tree have remained unimpaired for thirty years and more[601 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the subtropics to the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 0 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c[418 ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,100 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 900 - 1,700mm[418 ]. Succeeds in full sun to partial shade[423 ]. Requires a well-drained, fertile soil[423 ]. Succeeds in sandy to clayey soils[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[418 ]. The tree has escaped from cultivation in Hawaii and become invasive[305 ]. Very tolerant of hard and repeated pruning[200 ]. Flowering Time: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: White/Near White. Spacing: 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m) 20-30 ft. (6-9 m).

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - very small, it is best mixed with fine sand when sowing. It germinates easily.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Vinegar Tree, Brisbane Box, Brush Box, Queensland Box

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

(R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Lophostemon confertus - (R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.