Family: Rutaceae
Flindersia brayleyana (Queensland maple, maple silkwood) is a tree species in the family Rutacea and is endemic to North Queensland, Australia. In 1935, it was brought to Hawaiʻi as a component of a forest plantation experiment. Initially, 500 trees were planted in the Ewa and Honolulu Forest reserves on Oʻahu. Subsequently, during the 1950’s and 1960’s, additional plantings occurred on Molokai, Hawaiʻi, and Oʻahu. Presently, the Waiakea Forest Reserve on Hawaiʻi island has approximately 400 acres of these trees. The wood of Flindersia brayleyana is highly prized for its fine grain, attractive figure, and color. Historically, it was employed in the construction of acoustic guitars and World War II planes. However, nowadays, most of these trees are cultivated in protected World Heritage areas, leading to a shortage of the timber. It is naturalized on the islands of Oʻahu and Maui. It displays weedy characteristics in Hawaiʻi and Austrailia, however it has been in the landscape for almost a century and is not a target of interest for conservation groups.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
- Naturalized on Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands)
- Displays weedy characteristics in Hawaii and Australia
- Potential environmental weed
- Host of Rhizoctonia disease and Phytophthora cinnamomi
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types
- Reproduces and spreads by wind-dispersed seeds
Low Risk Traits:
- Valued for landscaping and timber, and impacts, if any, only reported from non-native plantation settings
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Will not spread vegetatively and does not tolerate cutting
- Reaches maturity in 8+ years
- Will not form a persistent seed bank
