Plum Pine Tree

The Plum Pine Tree is a handsome Australian native with attractive foliage, graceful form, and unusual edible purple fruit. In fact, Podocarpus elatus, its botanical name, grows as a stately rainforest tree. However, gardeners can prune it regularly to keep it smaller for compact gardens.

Its common names include Plum Pine, Illawarra Plum, Brown Pine, She Pine, Queensland Christmas Tree, Australian Plum, Daalgaal, Goongum, Djerren Djerren, Gidneywallum and Yarri.

Glossy, deep-green leaves create a lush, year-round canopy. Additionally, the tree’s upright growth and dense foliage make it an impressive feature for lawns, native gardens, or subtropical landscapes.

The Plum Pine Tree responds well to pruning. For example, gardeners can shape it into a dense hedge, a privacy screen, or keep it compact as a garden specimen. Consequently, this adaptable nature suits both ornamental and productive landscapes.

Although hardy once established, the tree grows faster and develops a strong root system with regular watering and feeding in the first few years. Therefore, plant it in well-drained soil and allow space for its form to develop, especially if you want it as a feature tree.

Female plants produce distinctive blue-purple to purple-black fruit in autumn. Moreover, the fleshy, plum-like portion tastes mildly sweet with a subtle resinous note. You can enjoy the ripe fruit fresh or use it in jams, sauces, preserves, chutneys, and desserts.

Plum Pines usually have male and female flowers on separate trees. As a result, to ensure reliable fruit, plant a male tree near a female tree for pollination.

Podocarpus elatus, native to the rainforests of eastern Queensland and New South Wales, has a long connection with Australian bushfood traditions. Furthermore, people have valued its durable timber for furniture, joinery, boatbuilding, and marine structures.

For a more varied Australian food garden, pair the Plum Pine with a Burdekin Plum or Bunya Pine, both included in our current collection. Alternatively, maintain it as a hedge or let it become a magnificent feature tree. Ultimately, the Plum Pine offers ornamental beauty, edible produce, and a link to Australian rainforest heritage.