Everything About the Paperbark Tree

The paperbark tree is an evergreen tree that originates from the South Pacific, where it is native to New Guinea, Australia, and the Solomon Islands. The name Paperbark comes from its paper-thin, peeling bark. It is also known as a tea tree, cajeput, or white bottlebrush tree due to its white flowers that look like brushes. If you plan to add this tree to your yard, you can get the paperbark tree for sale from a good vendor.

Melaleuca quinquenervia can grow well in partial shade and reach heights of up to 100 feet. Its leaves, which grow to a length of 4 inches, are simple and alternate. Their leaves are greyish-green and have a narrow, lanceolate shape. If crushed, the leaves release an aroma similar to camphor. The outer bark of the tree is whitish and soft and peels into thin layers to reveal a reddish inner bark. You can purchase a paperbark tree for sale if you want to have fragrant white flowers blooming in your garden. 

These flowers bloom in clusters shaped like bottle brushes. The fruits are small, woody, and cylindrical capsules borne in clusters on young branchlets. Each capsule possesses around 200-300 tiny seeds. The paperbark tree is a fast-growing tree that forms thick strands and has low wind resistance. It thrives in swampy areas. The bark is thick and spongy. Melaleuca alternifolia is a species that produces oil known as tea tree oil, which is an essential oil derived from its narrow leaves. It is commonly used for medical purposes.

The tree was an important material source for Australian natives in ancient times and had a long history with the Aboriginal people dating back 50000 years. Since the bark is flexible and has a soft texture, it is a valuable material for a variety of uses. It was often used to wrap injuries, wrap food to store for later and make sleeping mats. 

The leaves were a valuable medicinal source for the Aboriginal people who chewed them to relieve headaches and other internal illnesses. The leaves were also crushed with a poultice to prevent fungal infections and healing cuts. In the modern world, the properties of this tree came to light in the early 1920s when Arthur Penfold started his research on the properties of the oil. 

Today, it is a common household remedy used for various external ailments. Tea tree oil is also popular in beauty shops, drug stores, and convenience stores. If extracted and distilled correctly, the oil can be utilised for several medicinal purposes. 

The main active compounds found in tea tree oil are known to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and disinfectant properties. Hence, tea tree oil is used to prevent fungal infections and bug bites, help soothe inflamed skin, and act as an antiseptic. It is also used to treat mild to moderate acne.

The flowers of the paperbark tree have a very strong smell. They are creamy white, red, or pink and appear from spring through to autumn. The white ones match the creamy-white colour of the bark and contrast with the dark grey-green leaves. A wide range of birds, insects, and fruit bats consume the pollen, nectar, and even the whole flower.

The leaves are oval-shaped, up to 12 cm long, and 2.5 cm wide. The peeling bark has several uses. The layers of the stripped-off bark are used for roofing shelters, and the softness makes it a perfect sleeping mat or baby sling. The single layers of the bark are perfect to treat wounds and are used as bandages. The bark can be lit and used as a torch. 

The bark of the tree is the highlighting feature, which gives it its look. It can actually stand out in the landscape and is also very intriguing to observe close up. The nooks and crannies of the layered bark are a perfect place for many small critters to hide.

How to Grow a Paperbark Tree?

Paperbark trees should be planted in an area of full sun with drained soils. They can thrive in the wet ground but can also tolerate drier, alkaline, and salty soils. Once established, they can grow in a range of climatic conditions, including drought, coastal regions, and light frosts. The plant is also fire tolerant and is known to resprout vigorously. The tree requires low maintenance. 

The habitat of paperbark trees mostly consists of low-lying and high-rainfall areas in the coastal regions of Australia. They can stand up to both dry and very harsh conditions. Since it is a large plant, the root system should be checked and taken care of. Flowering mainly starts at the age of three, and the seedlings are likely to bloom. It happens every month except March, April, and February. The twigs continue to lengthen from the ends of spikes after flowering. 

Bottom Line

Paperbark trees can be great additions to your garden, not only for their attractive flowers but also for the wide range of useful properties they have. They are pretty much low-maintenance and can grow in most conditions.