Quick reference
- Persistently wet clay: start with River Red Gum, Swamp Mahogany, River She-oak, Swamp Gum, Broad-leaved Paperbark or River Cooba—only where their mature size is appropriate.
- Small sites: use the height filter, then prioritise Water Gum cultivars, Crepe Myrtle, Camellia, Japanese Maple or compact bottlebrush cultivars.
- Fruit trees: clay tolerance does not mean waterlogging tolerance; mound planting and drainage are usually essential.
- Before planting: check underground services, canopy clearance, local biosecurity rules and mature root-space requirements.
Clay-fit rating
Excellent: strong heavy-clay performance, including periodic wetness where noted.
Good: generally clay tolerant when planted correctly.
Conditional: use a mound/raised planting zone and prevent prolonged saturation.
Avoid/check: weed, biosecurity or site-suitability concern outweighs its clay tolerance.
Filter the selector
| Compare | Tree | Origin | Clay fit | Mature size | Growth | Sun | Wet tolerance | Uses | Upkeep | Key caution / planting note |
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No trees match this combination. Relax one or more filters.
How to use the data
- Mature dimensions are broad landscape ranges, not guarantees. Cultivar, rainfall, soil depth and pruning can change final size.
- “Waterlogging tolerant” means a species can handle periodic or prolonged wetness better than most trees; it does not make every site safe.
- For conditional fruit and ornamental trees, create a broad mound above surrounding grade rather than digging a “bathtub” into dense clay.
- Large gums, paperbarks and she-oaks need professional siting away from buildings, pipes and powerlines.
Source trail and limitations
This lookup combines horticultural ranges with Australian native-plant, revegetation and weed guidance. Local council lists and state biosecurity rules take priority.