| Botanic name | Angophora costata |
| Other names | Sydney red gum, smooth-barked apple |
| Main Origin | Eastern Australia |
| Mature size | 6 – 15 m x 10 – 30 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Large tree with a rounded, broad canopy |
| Foliage | Lance-shaped, glossy, dark green, oppositely paired |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Position | Full sun |
| Soil | Prefers sandy soils, but adapts to most soils |
| Water | Occasional deep watering during extended dry periods |
| Climate | Semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Small, cream-white, from late spring to summer |
| Use | Feature specimen |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Some trees blend softly into the landscape, but Angophora costata makes its presence impossible to overlook. Better known as Sydney Red Gum or Smooth-barked Apple, this native captures attention with its smooth bark washed in pink to orange or grey.
Its trunk and branches twist and curve like a living sculpture, giving it a sculptural grace that stops people in their tracks. There is a drama in its form, but also a softness, a balance of wild energy and quiet elegance.
More than a tree, Angophora costata is a natural statement piece. It shapes the spaces around it, lending character and beauty in a way few others can. For designers and nature lovers alike, it is unforgettable.
Origin and distribution
Angophora costata is endemic to coastal and subcoastal regions of eastern Australia. From Queensland to Victoria, it thrives in woodlands and open forests. The species is widely cultivated for its ornamental value and rapid growth, especially within its native range.
Its stunning form, characterised by its smooth, shedding bark and often gnarled branches, makes this species a cherished sight in expansive gardens, parklands and broad streetscapes across Australia.
Growth and care
Angophora costata thrives in a range of climates, from temperate and subtropical regions to the drier Mediterranean zones. Its distribution extends into semi-arid areas in Queensland, though its natural distribution shows a clear preference for moderate humidity.
Mature trees can tolerate light frost and withstand low temperatures to -5°C, while young plants are susceptible to frost damage and require protection. Besides frost, the species is highly tolerant of drought, once established.
Angophora costata is predominantly found on sandy soils and stony ridges in its native habitat. It can also occur in heavier shale soils above sandstone. In cultivation, it is highly adaptable to other substrates, including clay and nutrient-poor soils.
The species is vulnerable to fungal attack in poorly drained or waterlogged soils, often resulting in root rot. For healthy growth, good drainage is essential. Angophora costata flourishes in well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. However, it is adaptable to moderately alkaline soils.
Naturally occurring in coastal areas, it tolerates some salt spray and soil salinity, though it grows best when sheltered from full coastal exposure.
Angophora costata generally requires minimal pruning, as it naturally develops an attractive, often gnarled and sculptural form. Formative pruning can be undertaken to encourage a strong central leader for young trees.
Unlike stable eucalypts like Corymbia maculata, mature Angophora costata is known to drop limbs in response to environmental stress, like drought. As such, the species is best planted away from buildings, pathways, high traffic zones and recreational areas. With its size and spread, it is unsuitable for small residential gardens.
Features
Angophora costata is renowned for its striking overall shape and form. It is often a tall and spreading tree that can reach over 30 metres in height at maturity in a protected environment, where it develops a dense, broad, and often rounded or dome-shaped canopy.
Young trees may exhibit a more upright or pyramidal habit, but as they mature, they broaden significantly, developing that characteristic wide and spreading form.
While less common, the tree can also take on a low-spreading, contorted, mallee habit in an exposed environment or shallower, less fertile soils, reaching a lesser height of 20 metres.
Whether growing upright or spreading low, its gnarled, twisted trunk and main branches are the most defining feature. Their sculptural quality becomes even more pronounced with age, lending immense visual appeal.
But the attraction does not stop there. Its smooth, peeling bark changes from pinkish-orange to light grey, resulting in a striking seasonal mottled effect that highlights its rugged charm and offers a spectacular display.
Its foliage is typically lance-shaped, glossy, dark green with a paler underside, arranged in opposite pairs. New leaf growth often displays an attractive reddish or purplish tint, adding seasonal interest.
From late spring to summer, the tree produces large terminal clusters of creamy white flowers, often in great profusion. These striking blossoms attract birds and bees. Woody, ribbed, bell-shaped capsules follow.
