Tree identification manual - North East Downs Landcare Group

Scrub whitewood
Botanical name
Atalaya salicifolia
Areas
3 & 5
Usual flowering time
Spring - Summer
Distribution
Found in dry scrub areas in eastern parts of the district generally on upland sites.
Description
Height: A small tree up to 8m tall.
Bark: Tightly fissured bark which is light coloured, often with lichen growing on it.
Leaves: Dark green compound leaves with distinct wings of leaf tissue attached to the midrib. Generally six
to eight leaflets per leaf attached in pairs.
Inflorescence: Flowers are small and white in colour. In certain years they can be quite abundant on the
trees.
Fruits: Fruits are winged and attached branchlets in pairs.
Distinctive features
A dense foliaged plant with shiny dark green leaves which form a dense shade cover. The wings on the leaf
mid rib are also distinctive.
Vegetation community
Found in dry scrub areas, as a common tree on lighter soils in sloping country.
Associated soils
Scrub whitewood occurs on light to friable scrub soils which are well drained and moderately fertile. Much of
this type of country has been cleared for grazing or cropping, but remnants of forest remain for stock shade
or wildlife corridors.
Local example
Scrub whitewood can be found in scrub areas in the eastern parts of the district. Specimens were found on
the side of the road from Oakey to Cooyar about 12km from Oakey on the hill above the old Greenwood Hall
site.
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