Grevillea robusta - Silky Oak

Family:	Proteaceae
Habit:	Tree
Height:	30
Width:	15
Synonyms:
Range:	Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) is a Tree which grows to a height of 30m and a width of 15m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 9.
Silky Oak will flower in October to November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Silky Oak will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Silky Oak prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Silky Oak can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Temperate rainforests[157]

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Is suited as a secondary tree
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

An easy and fast-growing tree requiring a well-drained slightly acid soil and a sunny position[260]. It prefers a rich moist soil[167], but it also succeeds in dry soils. Dislikes limey soils[1, 157]. Established plants are drought resistant[154]. This species is not very hardy when grown outdoors in Britain. In its native range it does experience frosts, though these are normally light and short-lived[167]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to -7°c in Australian gardens[157] though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It is usually grown as a pot plant in Britain, though it rarely flowers here[1]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is often grown as a street tree in suitable climates[260]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[157]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[154]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The flowers are one of the richest sources of nectar[183]. This can be sucked directly from the flowers, shaken into a bowl or washed out in a small quantity of water[183]. The nectar falls in showers when the flowers are shaken[144].

• Nectar - produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow February in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually good[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, June/July in a frame[78].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The plant yields small quantities of a gum resin[154]. The leaves contain rutin, though quantities are not specified[240]. Intense yellow and green dyes are obtained from the leaves[168]. This tree is one of the most important reafforestation trees in Nepal[272]. This species is more resistant than other members of the genus to root-rotting fungus, it is sometimes used as a rootstock for the more susceptible species[200]. Wood - strong, silky textured, light, easily split, durable but porous. Used for panelling, joinery, cabinet making etc[154, 156, 167]. A good fuel[272].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Gum - Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
• Rootstock - Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.
• Wood - A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Victoria.
Ewart. A. J.
Author: Ewart. A. J.
Rating:
Publisher : A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
Date of Publication :

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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