Grevillea robusta A. Cunn.

Description :

A medium to large, deciduous tree 12 to 20 m tall or more, with diameters of 30 to 90 cm. The crown is conical and long. The fern like, leaves are compound, 15 to 30 cm long, with 11 to 21 pairs of leaflets 4 to 9 cm long. The leaves are green and hairless on the tops with silky, whitish or ash-colored hairs underneath. The bole is straight, and the bark is light to dark grey with many deep furrows. The flowers are in clusters 7 to 18 cm long, very showy yellow to orange in color. The flowers bloom between February and April. The fruit is pod like, boat shaped slightly flattened, 2 cm long, containing 1 to 2 winged seeds. The seed matures April through June. No disease or pest problems have been observed in Pakistan. It i s reproduced from seed. Seed is viable for a short period, unless they are dried and stored under refrigeration. Under refrigeration seed will last 2 years or more. A fast-growing tree attaining heights of 20 m. MAI of 15.5 m3/ha/yr has been reported in plantations on a 14-year rotation. Sapwood is greyish white and heartwood bright reddish brown, with specific gravity of 0.57 and moderately heavy strength.

Distribution :

The tree is native to Australia and is successfully cultivated in many parts of the world. In Pakistan it has been planted along roads, and in gardens both in the hills and plains. An intolerant tree that grows on a variety of sites including acidic soils. It will not do well on wet or waterlogged sites. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 600 to 1500 mm/yr in a temperature range of -10 to 40°C. It can withstand drought periods of 2 to 6 months and is moderately frost hardy. It prefers a warm temperate to sub-tropical temperate climate within an elevation range of 0 to 2300 m.

 

Uses :

This tree has potential in farm forestry programs as well as in irrigated plantations. The wood is valuable, and the growth rate is very fast. Also used for fuel, various wood products including furniture, apiculture, and ornamental purposes.