Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Tuckeroo, Carrotwood

A versatile Australian Native evergreen tree with a rounded canopy, glossy green foliage and abundant small yellow flowers in late spring. Exceptional tolerance for salt, wind, poor soils and urban pollution makes it ideal for challenging locations.  Perfect shade tree or street tree.

Quick Info

Height: 6–8m (medium to large shade tree)

Width: 6m (broad, spreading canopy)

Positioning: Full sun to part shade

Climate & Hardiness: Native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of eastern Australia. Performs best in warm and temperate coastal to inland regions. Frost hardy in most Australian climates but prefers warmer conditions. Ideal from Sydney northwards through to Queensland and suitable for coastal regions of Victoria.

Growth Rate: Moderate – establishes reliably

Soil Requirements: Remarkably adaptable to diverse soil types. Tolerates poor sandy soils, rocky soils, and challenging conditions. Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to various drainage conditions.

Salt & Wind Tolerance: Exceptional salt tolerance makes this tree ideal for coastal gardens and salt-spray exposed locations. Excellent wind tolerance allows planting in wind-prone and exposed positions where many trees struggle.

Pest & Disease Management: Generally very hardy with few significant pest or disease issues across Australian climates.

Pruning & Maintenance: Minimal pruning required. Tree naturally develops an attractive spreading form. Light pruning can maintain shape but not necessary. Generally low to no maintenance once established.

Perfect For

> Shade trees in residential and commercial landscapes

> Coastal gardens and salt-spray exposed locations

> Street tree planting

> Wind-exposed and challenging growing conditions

> Feature trees

> Gardens with poor sandy or challenging soils

> Wildlife gardens attracting native birds

Plant Variety Overview

Cupaniopsis anacardioides, commonly known as Tuckeroo or Carrotwood, is a hardy and versatile Australian native evergreen tree prized for its exceptional environmental tolerance and reliable landscape performance. This medium to large shade tree features attractive glossy green foliage and produces abundant small yellow flowers in late spring, followed by colourful orange fruit that attract native birds and wildlife.

The Tuckeroo is renowned amongst landscape professionals and experienced gardeners for its remarkable ability to thrive in challenging conditions where many other trees struggle. Exceptional salt and wind tolerance make it ideal for coastal properties, while adaptability to poor sandy soils and resistance to urban pollution position it as an outstanding choice for street tree and urban garden applications. The dense, spreading canopy delivers excellent shade and landscape presence with minimal fuss.

The reliable flowering, exceptional environmental tolerance, proven performance across diverse Australian climates, and low-maintenance characteristics make this native tree an outstanding choice for shade planting, coastal gardens, and challenging landscape applications. The evergreen foliage provides year-round shade and structural presence.

Why You'll Love It

> Exceptional Salt Tolerance: Thrives in coastal gardens and salt-spray exposed locations where many trees fail

> Wind Tolerance: Withstands exposed and wind-prone positions, ideal for challenging sites

> Soil Adaptability: Tolerates poor sandy soils and diverse soil conditions – not fussy about fertility or pH

> Urban Tolerance: Resistant to urban pollution and atmospheric stress – perfect for city gardens and streetscapes

> Reliable Flowering: Abundant small yellow flowers in late spring create seasonal interest

> Wildlife Appeal: Colourful fruits attract native birds and support local ecosystems

> Low-Maintenance: Once established, requires minimal care – essentially a plant-and-enjoy specimen

Coastal & Environmental Benefits

Cupaniopsis anacardioides is exceptional for coastal and challenging landscape applications. The combination of salt tolerance, wind tolerance, adaptability to poor soils, and urban pollution resistance makes this tree a proven performer in locations where many other species struggle. Ideal for coastal gardens, wind-exposed properties, urban streetscapes, and challenging growing conditions across warm and temperate Australian regions.

Height Approximates in Pots for this Variety