Safetree plants
The below safetree list provides a guide to the native shrubs/small trees that are generally suitable for planting under powerlines in South East Queensland due to their small size (4m or less). This isn't an exhaustive list, so there may be other species not listed below that may also be suitable.
You can make your own safetree list by clicking ADD TO LIST and then VIEW YOUR LIST to print out and take to your nursery.
Blue Tongue
Mauve/pink flowers in summer. Flowers spasmodically with edible fruits. Attracts birds.
Callistemon 'Little John'
Can be planted in most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided during establishment.
Claret Tops Paperback
Cream flowers from Spring to Summer. Bronze foliage, frost sensitive when young. Attracts birds. Great for screening.
Coastal Boobialla
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun.
Coastal Wattle
Best in well drained sandy soils in full sun.
Dwarf banksia
Yellow and green flowers in Autumn and Winter. Oblong, slightly toothed leaves. Attracts birds. Great for screening with low watering requirements.
Flat Stemmed Wattle
Plant in well drained soil in full sun.
Fringed Wattle
Hardy in most soil types except boggy areas. Plant in full sun.
Golden Candlesticks
Golden flowers from Autumn to Winter. Tall woody fruit. Attracts birds. Low watering requirements.
Kunzea
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun.
Moonlight Grevillea
Creamy white flowers all year round. Attracts birds. Great for screening with low watering requirements.
Narrow Leaf Myrtle
White flowers in Summer. Edible fruits liked by nectar and fruit eating birds. Frost tender, preferring some shade. Attracts birds.
Native Coffee Bush
Green flowers with dark bronze foliage. Attracts birds. Great for screening.
Orange Thorn
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun or part shade.
Prickly Leaf Paperbark
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun. Suitable as a street tree if lower branches are removed to a height of 2.4 metres.
Red Silky Oak
Most soils as long as adequate drainage is provided; best in full sun. Remove dead flowers to maximise flowering and encourage bushiness. This species has given rise to numerous cultivated varieties (e.g. G. 'Honey Gem', G 'Misty Pink') that are also suitable under powerlines.
Rusty Pittosporum
Yellow or red flowers in Spring. Attractive fruit. Attracts birds.
Sannantha Bidwillii
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun. Prune growing tips to maintain bushiness.
Scarlet Fuchsia
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided during establishment. Best in full sun to part shade. Prune to shape and remove unwanted suckers.
Snowstorm Paperbark
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun.
Sticky Hop Bush
Attractive foliage with small colourful flowers. Attracts birds. Great for screening.
Swamp Banksia
Green flowers in Winter and Autumn. Large leathery leaves. Attracts birds. Low watering requirements.
Wallum Bottlebrush
Red or green flowers. Loves wet conditions. Attracts birds.
Weeping Baeckea
Best on well drained sandy soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; in full sun. Prune growing tips to maintain bushiness.
Weeping Bottlebrush variety
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun. Suitable as a street tree if lower branches are removed to a height of 2.4 metres. Remove dead flowers to maximise flowering and encourage bushiness.
Weeping Tea Tree
Most soils as long as adequate moisture is provided; best in full sun. Suitable as a street tree if lower branches are removed to a height of 2.4 metres.
Wild May
White flowers in Spring. Frost hardy or coastal shrub. Attracts birds. Great for screening and has low watering requirements.
Wynyabbie Gem Coastal Rosemary
Mauve flowers all year around. Hardy coastal plant. Attracts birds.