Shade Tree Selections for Farms and Paddocks

Looking to protect horses and livestock in summer? Get the jump on the hotter weather later in the year by planting these eight classic native lines, ideal for this very purpose.

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Trees are the cheapest method of providing shade on farms and paddocks as a way to manage comfort in livestock, horses and local habitat during the hotter summer months. And planting advanced trees leading into winter increases success rates and optimises tree size in readiness for summer heat.

Trees increase local biodiversity and can reduce radiant heat load by 50% or more!

And planting trees in conjunction with smaller shrubs as undergrowth to create tree belts also provide shade and protection from winds, allowing better control over livestock heat loads. This also makes farms a more comfortable workplace or home for people as well.  Strategically planted, trees assist with erosion management and salinity control.

The selection of suitable trees for shade on paddocks in our often harsh, dry environment often comes down to Australian natives, and we’d like to showcase eight selections in particular.



Lophostemon confertus Queensland Brush Box
A rainforest tree native to the North-Eastern parts of Australia, this is a fast growing tree which is rarely affected by pests and diseases. Dome-like in shape, it develops a very dense foliage cover of dark green, leathery leaves providing good shade for the summer months. This variety rarely sheds limbs and has salmon coloured bark which flakes off over summer revealing orange-brown tones on the trunk. Summer also brings clusters of small white flowers whose stamens give them a decorative fluffy appearance. 40cm/27L
Corymbia citriodora Lemon-scented Gum
A beautiful, tall growing Corymbia (syn. Eucalyptus) with a distinctive, often powdery white to grey coloured bark which curls and flakes off in spring. Its leaves are green, long and slender with an amazing, strong lemon fragrance when crushed. Its strong scent is a distinguishing attribute, with the essential oils produced from this variety often being used in fragrances as well as insect repellents. In summer and autumn, feathery white flowers appear, making it a good source of food for honey bees. 40cm/27L 100L
Corymbia maculata Spotted Gum
This is a stately native Corymbia (syn. Eucalyptus) which grows straight and tall. The bark sheds in summer and is smooth and cream in colour with grey spots from the older bark, providing contrast and interest with its mottled appearance. The leaves are dark green and glossy and from autumn to winter, small clusters of fragrant white flowers appear attracting birds and honeybees to the area. Note: Not to be confused with the "Red Spotted Gum" which is listed separately. 40cm/27L 50cm/52L 100L
Angophora costata Smooth-barked Apple Myrtle, Rusty Gum
This attractive Australian native Angophora (syn. Eucalyptus) is loved for its smooth bark that is slightly purple in colour. It has large and twisted limbs and a very large expanded trunk base. It bears white flower clusters in spring. This tree has opposite leaves compared to alternate leaves as seen in eucalypt tree varieties. It has beautiful red new growth. 40cm/27L 100L
Eucalyptus polyanthemos Red Box
This Australian native tree grows naturally down the central tablelands of New South Wales to Victoria, and across as far as Ararat. A tough tree, it is capable of tolerating difficult, dry stony soils. Juvenile foliage is oval in shape and grey-green in colour whilst the mature, adult leaves are more ovate. The short trunk can be smooth or box-like (fissured). Flowering occurs from September to January during which small white flowers appear. 40cm/27L
Eucalyptus mannifera maculosa Red Spotted Gum
A lovely medium sized tree for open spaces with a smooth powdery white, cream or grey trunk with red flecks through it. It naturally forms one trunk with a wide spreading canopy and grows relatively fast. It has narrow, thin green leaves and white flowers in the summer. It is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, known to tolerate poor soils and is a good choice for areas high in clay and shallow, rocky soils.
Eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea Red-flowering Ironbark
This Australian native tree is indigenous to eastern Australia. It has distinctive, very dark brown to black coloured bark which is deeply furrowed and does not shed. The dramatic bark provides contrast to the foliage which is blue-grey-green mix in colour. From winter to early spring, pink to red flowers are borne in clusters of seven. 40cm/27L
Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box
This tree is a medium to tall grower, best known for its unusual bark which varies from smooth to rough all the way down the trunk. Often the bark varies presenting an array of colours including grey, yellow, red and brown and occasionally, can be very dark and rough. Very fragrant, white flowers appear during the warmer months. 40cm/27L
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