Queensland Maple Plant Care

Flindersia brayleyana F.Muell.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Flindersia brayleyana, commonly known as Queensland maple, maple silkwood or red beech, is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to northern Queensland. It has pinnate leaves with between six and ten leaflets, panicles of white or cream-coloured flowers and smooth fruit that opens in five sections to release winged seeds.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Queensland Maple?

Plant Queensland Maple in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Queensland Maple Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Queensland Maple?

Queensland Maple (Flindersia brayleyana) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Flindersia genus. Queensland Maple is native to northern Queensland. Queensland Maple is also known as Maple Silkwood, Maplewood, Silkwood.

Queensland Maple displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Queensland Maple produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Queensland Maple?

Water a young or newly planted Queensland Maple every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Queensland Maple Need?

Queensland Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Queensland Maple Prefer?

Flindersia brayleyana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Queensland Maple prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Queensland Maple?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Queensland Maple to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Queensland Maple?

Feed Queensland Maple every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Queensland Maple?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Queensland Maple is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Queensland Maple?

Queensland Maple can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Queensland Maple?

Prune Queensland Maple while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Queensland Maple in Winter?

Queensland Maple is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Queensland Maple?

Queensland Maple can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver ash plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Queensland Maple Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Queensland Maple, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Queensland Maple?

Queensland Maple is susceptible to scale insects, citrus leaf miner. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Queensland Maple Need?

Queensland Maple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Queensland Maple is native to northern Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Queensland Maple as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Queensland Maple is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Flindersia genus — compare its care with other Flindersia species on PlantoScan.

Flindersia is part of the Rutaceae plant family — browse all Rutaceae genera and species.

Queensland Maple thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Flindersia Species

Other Flindersia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Flindersia brayleyana F.Muell., family Rutaceae (first published in Fragm. 5: 143 (1866)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Queensland Maple, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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