Northern White Beech

Gmelina fasciculiflora

This large tree from coastal and upland rainforests of north-east Queensland carries a large dense crown. Large mauve flowers occur in clusters on branches and globular, bluish or purple fleshy fruits appear in summer.

The bark is grey and scaly. The leaves, often shed in July or August, are egg-shaped, with prominent veins, dark green above but densely hairy beneath.

The timber is light grey-brown, very durable, soft and easy to work and was prized, for example, for making patterns for metal casting and for wood carving and turning. It is similar to the Southern White Beech Gmelina leichhardtii from central Queensland to central New South Wales.

How high can I grow? Up to 30m.