Information Sheet – Brushwood, Tea Tree, Fire Retardants

Melaleuca Uncinata (Brushwood, Broombrush)

Durable… Beautiful… Renewable…

‘Melaleuca Uncinata’, commonly known as Broombush or Broom Honeymyrtle, is a plant in the Paperbark family native to southern Australia. The plant occurs in the Coolgardie-Esperance region of Western Australia as well as on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, extending eastwards to western Victoria and south-western New South Wales.

Characteristics

An evergreen Shrub growing to 2m. It is hardy to zone 0. It is in leaf all year. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge;

Uses

Medicinal: An essential oil is obtained from the leaves, it has a peppermint flavour and is used medicinally.

Construction: Wood – hard, durable, apt to split on drying. The dried branches are used in brush fences.

The high salt content provides long lasting protection against the Australian elements making this fencing suitable for pool surrounds and enclosures or salt exposed areas.

Brushwood fencing adds immediate appeal to any courtyard or landscaped area. Compacted on site by our team of specially trained installers, trimmed and topped with a bound capping, the soft, natural appearance of brush fencing and screens can make small courtyard areas feel much larger and less confining – and also rates highly an acoustic barrier!

Chemical and preservative free, brush fencing can be installed in soil or solid rock foundations, and can include openings and gates.

Brushwood fencing is installed on a solid galvanised steel frame that will last up to 40 years, making this fencing very strong and suitable for high wind areas. Brushwood fencing is ideal for difficult shapes and areas and can be installed level, stepped, raked or curved to suit any landscape. It can also be used for screens up to 3 metres high!

Brushwood fencing instantly transforms any garden or courtyard area into a stunning natural landscape. Brushwood fencing is popular in homes, townhouses, villas, resorts and has even been featured on television renovation shows including ‘Garden Makeover’ and ‘Backyard Blitz’. Don’t spend a fortune on your landscaping without starting with the fence! View some of our past projects for more ideas.

Information Sheet – Melaleuca quinquenervia (Tea Tree, Ti Tree)

Natural… Random… Durable…

Melaleuca is a genus of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. There are well over 200 recognized species, most of which are endemic to Australia. Commonly known as Niaouli or Broad-leaved paperbark or the Paper Bark Tea Tree, is a small- to medium-sized tree of the allspice family, Myrtaceae. The plant is native to New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and coastal Eastern Australia, from Botany Bay in New South Wales northwards, into Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In the wild, Melaleuca plants are generally found in open forest, woodland or shrubland, particularly along watercourses and the edges of swamps.

The best-accepted common name for Melaleuca is simply melaleuca; however most of the larger species are also known as paperbarks, and the smaller types as honey myrtles. They are also sometimes referred to as punk trees.

One well-known melaleuca, the Ti tree (aka tea tree), Melaleuca quinquenervia , is notable for its essential oil which is both anti-fungal, and antibiotic, while safely usable for topical applications. This is produced on a commercial scale, and marketed as Tea Tree Oil. The Ti tree is presumably named for the brown colouration of many water courses caused by leaves shed from trees of this and similar species (for a famous example see Brown Lake (Stradbroke Island)). The name “tea tree” is also used for a related genus, Leptospermum. Both Leptospermum and Melaleuca are myrtles of the family, Myrtaceae.

Melaleucas are popular garden plants, both in Australia and other tropical areas worldwide. In Hawaii and the Florida everglades, Melaleuca quinquenervia (Broad-leaved Paperbark) was introduced in order to help drain low-lying swampy areas.

Growth

The broad-leaved paperbark grows as a spreading tree up to 20 m high, with the trunk covered by a white, beige and grey thick papery bark. The grey-green leaves are ovate and the cream or white bottlebrush-like flowers appear from late spring to autumn..

Medicinal uses

Characteristic of the myrtle family Myrtaceae, it has essential oils. It is the most important species for commercial production of Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil), a topical antibacterial and antifungal used in a range of products including antiseptics, deodorants, shampoos, soaps and lotions.

Construction uses

Tea Tree is harvested for use as fencing, pergolas and feature walls. Sticks ranging in size from 20mm to 40mm are are harvested at a length of 1.8m.

Tea Tree fencing adds immediate appeal to any courtyard or landscaped area. Handmade on site by our team of specially trained installers, Tea Tree fencing is strong, durable and able to withstand the extremities of the Australian climate without the use of preservatives! Rugged and good looking Tea Tree fencing can transform any backyard!

Information Sheet – Fire Retardants

Fire retardants, manufactured in Australia, are stringently tested to meet with all relevant fire retarding standards.

Retardants are environmentally safe, non-toxic and colourless. They are water-based and specifically formulated to be used on brushwood fencing and they won’t stain or discolour.

Passive Fire Retardant won’t evaporate or release additional toxic smoke or gas in the event of a fire (AS1530 Pt 2 & 3). It’s harmless and biodegradable. Flame retardant not only inhibits the fire, it also delays or stops the spreading, which increases escape time, saves property and lives!

Fire retardants are water-based products specifically designed and formulated for use on natural materials and is ideal for use on brushwood fencing. It has been tested to meet Australian Standards 1530 Pt 2 and 3 and 2755 Pt 1. It has been tested to meet Australian Standards 1530 Pt 3, IWS 258-1996 (Oil Repellence) and WS 282-1992 (Staining Propensity). All Day Fencing can apply an acrylic liquid to meet Australian Standards 1530 Pt 3 and British Standard 476 Pt 7 which is recommended for:

Brush fences, Timber, Porous building material and Non-porous building material.

For further information contact All Day Fencing.

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