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Leaf Sizes for Different Trees
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Leaf Sizes for Different Trees

by | Jul 22, 2022 | General

Leaf Sizes for Different Trees

Leaves, petals and foliage come in different sizes.  

So does gutter mesh.  

That’s why you’ll hear us say again and again that it’s imperative you match your mesh to the size of the vegetation in your area. If you don’t, you risk choosing a mesh that will let leaves through and into your gutters. And that’s just as bad as having no mesh at all.  

Of course, unless you’re a botanist, chances are you aren’t intimately familiar with the size of the leaves on different trees and bushes.  

So to help you out, we’ve put together this article laying out the size of leaves, petals & foliage on a range of trees commonly found across Australia. 

Needles 

Needle-like leaves are 1mm or less in width. They vary considerable in length, but it’s their width that makes them a challenge when choosing the right gutter mesh for your property.  

2mm and 4mm aperture gutter mesh will keep out most needle-like leaves. However, some needles may get through the mesh. Additional maintenance is therefore required for properties with windblown needles or overhanging trees that drop needles.  

Common name  Botanical name  Problem part/s  Tree height  Evergreen / Deciduous   Image 
Pine tree (a collective term)  Conifers / Pinus (cone-bearing plants)  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  3m+  E 

 
Sheoak  Allocasuarina / Casuarina  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  8-18m  E 
Bottlebrush  Callistemon  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  4-7m  E   
Paperbark  Melaleuca quinquenervia  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  5-12m   E   
Wattle  Acacia  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  4-5m  E   
Heath banksia  Banksia ericifolia  Needle leaves, flower stamens  5m  E   

 

Small Leaves 

Small leaves can be between 2mm and 20mm in width. Some grow up to 50mm in length.  

2mm aperture mesh is recommended to keep most small leaves out of your gutters and minimise the need for gutter maintenance.

 

Common name  Botanical name  Problem part/s  Tree height  Evergreen / Deciduous   Image 
Poinciana   Poinciana delonix regia  Leaves, flower stamens  12m  D   
Jacaranda  Jacaranda mimosifolia  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  15m+  D   
Golden rain tree  Koelreuteria paniculata  Leaves, flowers  7m  D   
Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood / Yellow jacaranda  Tipuana tipu  Leaves, flowers  30m  D   
Black peppermint / Peppermint willow  Eucalyptus nicholii   Leaves, flower stamens  15m  E   
Mock orange / Orange jessamine  Murraya paniculata  Leaves, flowers  3m+  E 
Small leafed figs  Ficus obliqua  Leaves, berries  10-30m  E   
Golden shower tree  Cassia fistula  Leaves, flowers  5m+  E   
Hairpin banksia   Banksia spinulosa  Leaves, flower stamens  3m+  E   
Paperbark / Cajeput tree  Melaleuca leucadendron   Leaves, flowers  10m+  E   
Teatree  Leptospermum  Leaves, flower stamens  3m+  E   
Weeping fig / Benjamin fig  Ficus benjamina  Leaves, seeds  20m+  E   

 

Medium Leaves 

Medium leaves are 20mm to 50mm wide. They may grow from 50mm to 120mm in length. Gutter mesh with a 2mm or 4mm aperture is ideal for keeping most medium leaves out of your gutters so you can significantly reduce gutter maintenance.  

Common name  Botanical name  Problem part/s  Tree height  Evergreen / Deciduous   Image 
Tulipwood  Harpullia pendula   Leaflets, seeds, flowers  8m  E   
Hill fig / Weeping fig  Ficus hillii  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  15m+  E   
Queensland blue gum  Eucalyptus tereticornis   Leaflets, seeds, flowers  25m+  E   
Lemon scented myrtle  Backhousia citriodora  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  6m  E   
White oak / Brown silky oak  Grevillea baileyana  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  10m  E   
Coast banksia  Banksia integrifolia  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  25m+  E   
Trumpet tree  Tabebuia  Leaves, flowers  6m-8m  E   
Silky oak  Grevillea robusta  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  14m  E   

 

Large Leaves 

With widths of 70mm to 150mm, large leaves can grow up to 450mm in length – and sometimes even more. Gutter mesh with a 2mm, 4mm or 5.4mm aperture is all appropriate for keeping most large leaves out of your gutters.  

Common name  Botanical name  Problem part/s  Tree height  Evergreen / Deciduous   Image 
Maple / Japanese maple  Acer palmatum / Acer japonicum   Leaves  6m+  E   
Port Jackson fig / Rusty fig  Ficus rubiginosa  Leaves, berries  30m  E   
Alexander palm  Archontophoenix alexandrae  Leaves, seeds, flowers  15m+  E   
Bangalow palm  Archontophoenix cunninghamiana  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  20m+  E   
Brush box  Lophostemon confertus  Leaflets, seeds, flowers  10m-20m  E   
Magnolia little gem  Magnolia grandiflora  Leaves  4m+  E   
Sweet viburnum  Viburnum odoratissimum   Leaves, flowers  4m+  E   
Leaves, petals and foliage come in different sizes.  

So does gutter mesh.  

That’s why you’ll hear us say again and again that it’s imperative you match your mesh to the size of the vegetation in your area. If you don’t, you risk choosing a mesh that will let leaves through and into your gutters. And that’s just as bad as having no mesh at all.  

Of course, unless you’re a botanist, chances are you aren’t intimately familiar with the size of the leaves on different trees and bushes.  

So to help you out, we’ve put together this article laying out the size of leaves, petals & foliage on a range of trees commonly found across Australia. 

Needles 

Needle-like leaves are 1mm or less in width. They vary considerable in length, but it’s their width that makes them a challenge when choosing the right gutter mesh for your property.  

2mm and 4mm aperture gutter mesh will keep out most needle-like leaves. However, some needles may get through the mesh. Additional maintenance is therefore required for properties with windblown needles or overhanging trees that drop needles.  

Common name: Pine tree (a collective term) 

Botanical name: Conifers / Pinus (cone-bearing plants) 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 3m+

Evergreen / Deciduous: E

  
Common name: Sheoak 

Botanical name: Allocasuarina / Casuarina 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers

Tree height: 8-18m

Evergreen / Deciduous: E
Common name: Bottlebrush

Botanical name: Callistemon  

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers

Tree height: 4-7m

Evergreen / Deciduous:E

  
Common name: Paperbark

Botanical name: Melaleuca quinquenervia 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 5-12m

Evergreen / Deciduous: E

  
Common name: Wattle 

Botanical name: Acacia 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers

Tree height: 4-5m

Evergreen / Deciduous: E

  
Common name: Heath banksia 

Botanical name: Banksia ericifolia 

Problem part/s: Needle leaves, flower stamens

Tree height: 5m

Evergreen / Deciduous: E

  

 

Small Leaves 

Small leaves can be between 2mm and 20mm in width. Some grow up to 50mm in length.  

2mm aperture mesh is recommended to keep most small leaves out of your gutters and minimise the need for gutter maintenance.

 

Common name: Poinciana  

Botanical name: Poinciana delonix regia 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flower stamens 

Tree height: 12m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: D 

  
Common name: Jacaranda

Botanical name: Jacaranda mimosifolia

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers

Tree height: 15m+

Evergreen / Deciduous: D

  
Common name: Golden rain tree 

Botanical name: Koelreuteria paniculata 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 7m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: D 

  
Common name: Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood / Yellow jacaranda 

Botanical name: Tipuana tipu 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 30m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: D 

  
Common name: Black peppermint / Peppermint willow 

Botanical name: Eucalyptus nicholii  

Problem part/s: Leaves, flower stamens 

Tree height: 15m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Mock orange / Orange jessamine 

Botanical name: Murraya paniculata 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 3m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 
Common name: Small leafed figs 

Botanical name: Ficus obliqua 

Problem part/s: Leaves, berries 

Tree height: 10-30m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Golden shower tree 

Botanical name: Cassia fistula 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 5m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Hairpin banksia  

Botanical name: Banksia spinulosa 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flower stamens 

Tree height: 3m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Paperbark / Cajeput tree 

Botanical name: Melaleuca leucadendron

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 10m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Teatree 

Botanical name: Leptospermum 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flower stamens

Tree height: 3m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Weeping fig / Benjamin fig 

Botanical name: Ficus benjamina 

Problem part/s: Leaves, seeds 

Tree height: 20m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  

 

Medium Leaves 

Medium leaves are 20mm to 50mm wide. They may grow from 50mm to 120mm in length. Gutter mesh with a 2mm or 4mm aperture is ideal for keeping most medium leaves out of your gutters so you can significantly reduce gutter maintenance.  

Common name: Tulipwood 

Botanical name: Harpullia pendula

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 8m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Hill fig / Weeping fig 

Botanical name: Ficus hillii 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 15m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Queensland blue gum 

Botanical name: Eucalyptus tereticornis  

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 25m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Lemon scented myrtle 

Botanical name: Backhousia citriodora 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 6m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: White oak / Brown silky oak 

Botanical name: Grevillea baileyana 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 10m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Coast banksia

Botanical name: Banksia integrifolia  

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 25m+

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Trumpet tree 

Botanical name: Tabebuia 

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 6m-8m

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Silky oak 

Botanical name: Grevillea robusta 

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers 

Tree height: 14m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  

 

Large Leaves 

With widths of 70mm to 150mm, large leaves can grow up to 450mm in length – and sometimes even more. Gutter mesh with a 2mm, 4mm or 5.4mm aperture is all appropriate for keeping most large leaves out of your gutters.  

Common name: Maple / Japanese maple 

Botanical name: Acer palmatum / Acer japonicum

Problem part/s: Leaves 

Tree height: 6m+

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Port Jackson fig / Rusty fig 

Botanical name: Ficus rubiginosa 

Problem part/s: Leaves, berries 

Tree height: 30m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Alexander palm 

Botanical name: Archontophoenix alexandrae

Problem part/s: Leaves, seeds, flowers  

Tree height: 15m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Bangalow palm 

Botanical name: Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers  

Tree height: 20m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Brush box

Botanical name: Lophostemon confertus  

Problem part/s: Leaflets, seeds, flowers

Tree height: 10m-20m 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Magnolia little gem 

Botanical name: Magnolia grandiflora 

Problem part/s: Leaves 

Tree height: 4m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  
Common name: Sweet viburnum 

Botanical name: Viburnum odoratissimum  

Problem part/s: Leaves, flowers 

Tree height: 4m+ 

Evergreen / Deciduous: E 

  

The Growing Bushfire Threat 

Australia’s bushfire seasons are becoming more intense and unpredictable. The devastating 2019–2020 Black Summer fires burned over 24 million hectares, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and impacted communities across the country (Statista, 2023). And the risks are only increasing: 

  • Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. 
  • Extreme fire weather is becoming more frequent. 
  • The annual area burned is growing. 

Prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and drier landscapes are creating the perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread rapidly (Bowman et al., 2017). In some regions, fire seasons are now over a month longer than they were 35 years ago (NASA, 2023). 

Your Gutters: A Hidden Fire Risk 

When it comes to bushfire preparedness, many homeowners focus on clearing vegetation around their property. But one critical weak spot is often overlooked—gutters.This phenomenon, known as an ember attack, is responsible for up to 90% of homes lost in bushfires (Leonard et al., 2016). Dry leaves and debris in gutters provide the perfect fuel, allowing fire to spread to the roof and into the home within minutes. 

Gutter Protection: A Simple Yet Powerful Defence 

 
Investing in effective gutter protection is a key step in reducing your home’s bushfire risk. At Blue Mountain Gutter Mesh, we offer premium ember guard-compliant gutter mesh, designed to defend against ember attack. Our 2mm steel and aluminium gutter mesh options meet Australian Standard AS3959-2018 for ember guard compliance while preventing flammable debris buildup in your gutters—a critical factor since up to 90% of bushfire-related property losses stem from ember ignition. Crafted from non-combustible, corrosion-resistant materials, our mesh keeps embers and leaves out, safeguarding your home. 
 
2mm Steel Gutter Mesh: Ember guard compliant for all BALs (12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Flame Zone) 

2mm Aluminium Mesh: Features a woven edge for extra durability and is ember guard compliant for BALs 12.5, 19 and 29. 

5 Signs Your Gutters Need Protection Now 

  1. Leaves and debris constantly build up. 
  2. Water spills over during heavy rain. 
  3. Your gutters are sagging or pulling away. 
  4. Stains or water damage appear on exterior walls. 
  5. You live in a bushfire-prone area. 

Bushfire Readiness Checklist: 

✅ Install ember guards to your gutters 
✅ Regularly clear gutters and roof valleys. 
✅ Remove flammable materials from around your home. 
✅ Practice your evacuation plan with your family. 

The risk of bushfires is real—and growing. Don’t wait until the flames are at your doorstep. Protect your home now, starting from the top down. 

We're here to help you build a safer, more resilient home.

Talk to our team today about ember guard solutions for your property.

Click Here

 

Reference List 

  1. Statista. (2023). Impact of the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com 
  1. Bowman, D. M. J. S., Balch, J. K., Artaxo, P., Bond, W. J., Cochrane, M. A., D’Antonio, C. M., … & Swetnam, T. W. (2017). Fire in the Earth System. Science, 324(5926), 481–484. doi:10.1126/science.1163886 
  1. NASA. (2023). Bushfire season length and climate trends. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov 
  1. Leonard, J., Blanchi, R., Bowditch, P., & Besnard, V. (2016). Building loss due to wildfire: Trends and future risk influences. CSIRO Bushfire Research. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au 
  1. Standards Australia. (2018). AS3959-2018: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Retrieved from https://www.standards.org.au