Plum Pine - Podocarpus elatus

Plum Pine - Podocarpus elatus — A Refined Native Conifer for SEQ Gardens

The Plum Pine is one of Australia's most elegant native conifers — dense, dark green, and naturally upright with a clean, formal habit that suits both contemporary and traditional garden styles. It's a versatile tree that works as a feature specimen, a tall privacy screen, or a formal avenue planting, and it handles Brisbane's subtropical climate exceptionally well.

The common name comes from the edible purple fruit produced by mature trees — a sweet, juicy treat that also attracts native birds. It's genuinely ornamental, genuinely useful, and genuinely tough.

Why You'll Love It

• Dense, upright evergreen form — naturally formal and tidy, minimal maintenance required
• Edible purple fruit — sweet flesh enjoyed fresh; also attracts native birds
• Excellent privacy screening — dense canopy makes a solid visual barrier
• Tolerates a range of conditions — sun to part shade, most well-drained soils
• Long-lived — a permanent, low-maintenance garden asset
• Works in formal and contemporary garden designs — clean lines suit modern landscapes

Landscape Uses

• Feature or specimen tree
• Tall privacy screening and hedging
• Formal driveway and avenue planting
• Native and rainforest garden settings
• Poolside planting — clean, low-litter tree

Available Sizes

• 45L Bag — a well-established specimen with immediate presence and fast establishment

Growth & Conditions

• Mature height: 10–20m (can be managed with pruning)
• Mature width: 4–8m
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained; adaptable to most soil types
• Watering: Regular during establishment; drought tolerant once mature
• Climate: Excellent performer across all of SEQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really eat the fruit?
Yes — the fleshy receptacle (not the seed itself) is sweet and edible. It has a mild, pleasant flavour. The seeds are not eaten. Native birds love them too, so expect some visitors when fruiting.

Does it work as a hedge or screen?
Absolutely. Its dense, upright habit makes it one of the better native screening trees available. Plant 1.5–2m apart for a solid screen. It responds well to light trimming to maintain a formal shape.

How fast does it grow?
Moderate growth rate — steady and consistent. A 45L specimen gives you a meaningful head start on screening and establishment.

Locally supplied and acclimatised to South East Queensland conditions. Need it installed? Key Co Landscapes offers professional tree installation across SEQ.