This fascinating small to medium tree, confined to the warm east of the country, I’m afraid, provides quite spectacular bark year round, so plant it as a focal point. In the wild hikers will come across this tree most often on the hot, north-facing slopes, often amongst rocks. A versatile species though, as it grows equally well in coastal forests. Shape varies from upright to spreading and rather squat with low-growing branches. Copper-coloured bark peels off to uncover a remarkable green-bronze underbark. Tiny white flowers hide amongst the bright green foliage of the light canopy; leaves turn yellow in autumn before dropping. 1 cm round fruits attract birds. Only females bear fruit. Growth rate is around 1 m per year.