2024‑25 project picks, root‑safe choices & notes from Jye Murray
Why focus on “architectural” trees?
Across the latest award‑listed houses in Sydney, Noosa and Melbourne, a single hero tree is now treated as structural art—framing views, modulating light and anchoring internal courtyards. The trick is choosing foliage that looks sharp yet keeps its underground footprint under control.
Jye’s personal take
“I keep coming back to Ficus alii (Sabre‑leaf fig). Its narrow, drooping leaves give an instant resort vibe with far less leaf‑drop than fiddle‑leaf figs—perfect for a glazed void so long as you corral the roots.” – Jye
2024‑25 project references & species snapshot
| Tree & recent project example | Mature size (H × W) | Root character (risk¹) | Hard‑surface caution | Container‑suitable? | Jye’s notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’/‘Sango‑kaku’)★ Courtyard House, Ha Architecture, Melbourne 2024 – maple is the “spiritual centre” of the home (Ha | Architecture, Product & Environment) | 4–6 m × 3–4 m | Fine, shallow (low) | Rarely lifts paving if irrigated | ✔ large planter | Favourite for cool‑climate courtyards; colour shift sells the season inside. |
| Olive tree (Olea europaea)★ Olive Tree House, Sunshine Coast 2025 – mature olive anchors glazed atrium (Architectural Window Systems Dev) | 6–8 m × 4 m | Deep, non‑aggressive (very low) | Safe near slabs; needs drainage | ✔ | Silver foliage + drought tolerance = “set‑and‑forget” centrepiece. |
| Ficus alii / Sabre‑leaf fig (Ficus maclellandii ‘Alii’)Featured in 2025 interior trend round‑ups & nursery specs (homeplantsguide.com, flowerpower.com.au) | 3–5 m × 2–3 m (pruned) | Fibrous, moderately vigorous (medium) | Use 600 mm HDPE root barrier if <2 m to paving | ✔ with annual root‑prune | Jye’s go‑to: “resort lobby foliage without the tantrums of fiddle‑leaf.” |
| Crepe myrtle ‘Natchez’ (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei)★ Street‑facing canopy in Clare Cousins’ Courtyard House (Houses Awards shortlist 2024) (housesawards.com.au) | 6–7 m × 4 m | Fine, shallow (low) | Minimal risk; allow 1 m buffer | ✔ | Smooth mottled bark + summer bloom = year‑round interest for tight frontages. |
| Tractor‑seat plant (Ligularia reniformis) – Noosa shade courts | 0.6 m × 0.6 m | Rhizomatous clump (nil) | None | ✔ | Underscore hero trees; huge leaves catch uplights. |
¹Risk assumes planting within 1.5–2 m of concrete without barriers.
Fast design checks before you plant
| Question | Rule of thumb | Jye’s installer tip |
|---|---|---|
| How close to slab? | Keep trunk ≥ ½ mature height from footings or install root barrier to 600 mm | “Barrier costs < 1 % of re‑pouring cracked concrete.” |
| Soil depth in a void? | Minimum 700 mm for small trees; 1 m for olives & ficus | Mix 30 % scoria into base for drainage in waterproof planters. |
| Mess factor | Deciduous (maples) drop in one burst; evergreens (ficus, olive) shed lightly year‑round | Leaf‑litter in internal courtyards? Add a slot drain at threshold. |
Putting it together – Jye’s sample palette
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Hero: Ficus alii 2.5 m standard in a 1200 mm square precast planter (root barrier liner).
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Understory: Tractor‑seat plants + Japanese forest grass for texture.
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Accent: One tall Crepe myrtle ‘Natchez’ outside glazing line to draw eye beyond the void.
“One statement trunk, contrasting foliage layers below, and you’re done—no jungle clutter, no structural headaches.” – Jye
Need procurement or install advice?
QPS can supply field‑grown Japanese maples, advanced olives and premium ficus cultivars plus HDPE barrier kits. Get in touch for a planting schedule that keeps both architects and concreters happy.
