Fraser Island Apple

Fraser Island Apple, despite the name, isn’t related to the apple. Also referred to as Coastal Aspen, Beach Acronychia and Logan Apple, this cousin of the Lemon Aspen and White Aspen also bears small, pale, berry-like fruits. It’s a Fraser Island native, but you’ll find it growing along the coast from New South Wales to northern Queensland.

Fraser Island Apple fruits are bright yellow in colour, sometimes resembling Lilly Pilly fruits in shape and size. They’re sweet and tart, refreshing by the handful as well as flavoursome ingredients in both sweet and savoury dishes. Try turning them into syrups, jams or sauces, or drying them like raisins and adding them to biscuits, cereals and homemade trail mix.

Summer and Autumn sees these trees blossom with clusters of cream flowers. As follows, so will your local garden wildlife. Fraser Island Apple is much loved by birds, so be sure to harvest early and often to avoid disappointment!

Fraser Island Apple is a fast growing, subtropical tree that prefers warm weather and easily draining soils. Plant in a sunny or part-shade spot, and protect from frosts. In colder regions, we recommend a pot over in-ground planting, so you can move your tree indoors for the winter. During warmer months, keep the ground well mulched and moist. Fertilise once a year in the Spring, using a slow release native fertiliser.

This species tends to grow 6-10m tall, depending on conditions. With a 4-6m spread of bushy, glossy leaves, this butterfly-attracting plant can serve any coastal garden as a feature tree, street tree, an edible hedge.