Top 5 Drought-Tolerant Trees Ideal for Aussie Landscapes.
Hardy, low-maintenance trees that can take the heat of dry conditions.
Climate can be a real challenge when growing trees. Hot and dry summers, patchy rainfall, and the occasional frosty winter.
If you’re looking to buy trees at scale, planning for these conditions is essential to long-term success.
To combat this, it’s smart to invest in drought-tolerant tree species.
They’re lower maintenance, longer-lasting, and are more likely to establish well. This will save you time, resources and replanting costs. Getting the right trees for the right job is essential to the success of your projects.
If you manage large-scale planting projects, you need reliable species that can handle the conditions. We’ve got five reliable, drought-tolerant trees that look great and can take the heat.
Why drought tolerance matters.
Extreme heat, unreliable rainfall, and water restrictions make it more important than ever to choose hardy species.
Choosing trees not suited to your site can quickly lead to dieback, pest issues and, ultimately, expensive replacements.
So, what is it about drought-tolerant trees that makes them so tough? Think deep roots, waxy foliage and low transpiration.
Sourcing trees from a local wholesale nursery gives you a head start — the stock has already been stress-tested by the toughest conditions.
Tree #1: Corymbia citriodora – Lemon-Scented Gum
Native to Queensland, Lemon-Scented Gum thrives in warmer, drier regions.
Once established, it’s beautifully tall and elegant. Its smooth white bark curls and flakes in spring, and new leaves have a strong lemon scent.
Benefits:
Visual appeal - a standout in open spaces.
Lemon-scented foliage - sensory interest and insect-repelling properties.
High drought and heat tolerance - performs well in hot, dry climate
Fast-growing - rapid growth rate means visual impact quickly.
Low maintenance - minimal upkeep when planted in suitable locations
This classic native suits parks, streetscapes and large open spaces where scale and structure make a visual impact.
This does mean it requires space. Avoid narrow median strips, powerlines and areas of heavy foot traffic.
Tree #2: Eucalyptus leucoxylon ‘Euky Dwarf’ – Dwarf Yellow Gum
If height restrictions are a concern, this native favourite's gorgeous, compact form is an excellent choice.
Reaching a manageable 6-10m, it has a spread of 2-4 meters. The green-grey foliage produces attractive pink or red flowers from autumn through summer, attracting birds and bees, which enrich the local flora and fauna.
Benefits:
Compact size - grows to around 6–10m, ideal for smaller urban spaces.
Excellent drought tolerance - reliable performer in low-rainfall areas.
Attractive flowers & wildlife appeal - pink to red flowers that attract birds and pollinators.
Low maintenance - minimal pruning and adapts to challenging soil types
The Dwarf Yellow Gum is an urban high performer - an ideal alternative to water-hungry exotics.
With a bit of early pruning, it’s perfect for streetscapes, residential zones and commercial planting.
Tree #3: Brachychiton populneus – Kurrajong
Naturally adapted to dry inland Australia, the tough and versatile Kurrajong has an attractive form, giving valuable shade in public places.
Its glossy green leaves and creamy white bell-shaped flowers make it a gorgeous medium-sized tree for your planting mix.
Benefits:
Exceptionally drought-tolerant – thrives in dry, low-rainfall areas.
Tough and low-maintenance – ideal for public and civic spaces.
Attractive canopy – dense, glossy foliage offers reliable shade.
Performs in poor soils – adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
Strong structural form – long-lived and wind-resistant once established.
Used for civic projects like playgrounds, car parks and hospitals, it’s ideal for any regional landscaping.
Other things to note: it has broad roots, so it needs space and doesn’t do well in confined spaces.
Tree #4: Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’ – Water Gum
Despite its misleading name, the Water Gum thrives in drought conditions once established.
It’s a popular tree with commercial landscapers because of its striking colour palette; shiny dark green foliage, beautiful coppery new growth and yellow flowers in summer.
Benefits:
Glossy foliage and coppery new growth – great year-round visual appeal.
Tolerates dry and wet conditions – adaptable once established.
Compact, upright form – ideal for urban planting and tight spaces.
Bright yellow summer flowers – adds seasonal interest.
Reliable and low-maintenance – a favourite for councils and streetscapes.
The Water Gum grows to a nice height of 15m and is valued for its adaptability to both wet and dry conditions. It benefits from an abundant water supply during establishment.
Note: it’s so popular that stock can be limited, so it’s worth ordering early or contract growing.
Tree #5: Quercus palustris – Pin Oak
The deciduous Pin Oak is a drought-tolerant beauty perfect for challenging soil.
It has a tall, proud form providing dappled shade and an impressive autumn display of red leaves.
Benefits:
Brilliant autumn colour – deep red foliage adds standout seasonal impact.
Tall, symmetrical form – great for avenue and feature planting.
Handles dry conditions – drought-tolerant once established.
Long-lived and hardy – strong structural integrity in public spaces.
Filtered shade – provides coverage without heavy canopy density.
Its elegant form and symmetrical canopy make it ideal for formal landscapes, avenues, public spaces and open commercial areas.
For a full impact, the canopy needs space to grow and is not suited to very compact areas.
Planting for drought success.
Even tough trees need a good start. How can you improve survival and long-term growth?
Site preparation is essential to getting the best out of your growing potential:
Deep, well-drained soil.
Good quality mulch for moisture retention.
Avoid overhead watering - use drip irrigation instead.
Deep watering during establishment, then tapering.
Grouping trees with similar water needs.
And of course, sourcing trees that are already hardened off to local conditions gives you the best head start.
Building resilience into your landscape project.
Drought-tolerant trees aren’t just practical they’re essential for building resilient public landscapes. The right species will save your team time and money while delivering lasting visual and environmental benefits.
If you manage open space planting, you're under pressure to find reliable, low-maintenance trees that survive with minimal irrigation. You don’t have time to chase stock or risk failed planting seasons.
Planning ahead? Explore our current stocklist or contact us for advice, availability or contract growing tailored to your timeline and site.
