The integral part of the whole fireproofing process is applying a gutter mesh with the aperture hole that matches the size of the leaves and other vegetation in the surroundings. Any incompatibility would result in severe flaws in the protection mechanism with the leaves landing in the gutter space, thus providing a source for any potential fire.

As leaves come in all sizes, the gutter mesh has to follow a pattern with a variety in sizes to match the different vegetation shapes. A crucial aspect would be having significant knowledge of the plantation in Australia, which would assist with fireproofing with a gutter mesh.

Needle-Like Leaves

Needle-like leaves have variable lengths but it is their sharp widths that pose the real threat by evading the gutter mesh defenses. Normally, an aperture hole of width 2mm and 3.5mm would pass the test with most of the needle leaves.

Common needle-like vegetation found in Australia is:

Pinus/Conifers, popular with the name of Pine tree is an evergreen tree species found in the country. It has a height of 3m, but the problem it poses with the gutter mesh is with its leaves, seeds, and flowers.

Bottlebrush, commonly referred to as Callistemon in the botanical community, is a 4-7m high evergreen tree. Its leaves, flowers, and seeds can seriously test your gutter mesh defenses.

Acacia, commonly known as Wattle, is an evergreen tree species. This 4-5m high plantation can produce problems with its leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Sheoak is an evergreen tree standing at a generous height of 8-18m. Its botanical name of Allocasuarina/Casuarina is not the only problem as it causes fireproofing issues with its leaflets, flowers, and seeds.

Melaleuca quinquenervia is an evergreen tree standing at a prominent height of 5-12m. Commonly known as Paperbark, its leaflets, seeds, and flowers are a common threat to the gutter mesh systems.

Heath banksia or Banksia ericifolia is a 5m high evergreen species. Its leaves and flowers stamen can produce problems for the gutter mesh systems.

Small Tree Leaves

A 2mm aperture gutter mesh is ideal for the small tree leaves that can grow to 50mm in length and 2mm to 20mm in width. Such a width can provide protection against these small leaves from entering the gutter and thus provide a fireproof element.

Poinciana or Poinciana Delonix regia is a deciduous tree species with a 12m tree height. Its flowers, stamens, and leaflets are the main problems to the gutter mesh.

Koelreuteria paniculata or the golden rain tree is a deciduous tree species. It has a tree height of 7m and poses problems to the fireproof mesh system with its flowers and leaves.

Black peppermint/Peppermint willow is a common evergreen tree species found in Australia. Going with the botanical name of Eucalyptus nicholii, this 15m high tree is a problem to the gutter meshes with its leaves and flower stamens.

Ficus obliqua or small leafed figs is an evergreen, 10-30 m high tree. Its leaves and berries can provide a flammable component for gutter mesh systems.

Hairpin banksia or Banksia spinulosa is an evergreen tree common to the Australian terrain. It can grow at least 3m and pose problems to the gutter mesh with its leaves and flower stamens.

Leptospermum, commonly known as Teatree is an evergreen tree. Standing at a minimum height of 3m, it can cause problems with its leaves and flower stamens.

Jacaranda or Jacaranda mimosifolia is a deciduous tree species with a 15m+ tree height. Its flowers, seeds, and leaves are the main problems with the gutter mesh.

Tipuana tipu or Rosewood is another deciduous tree species. It has a generous tree height of 30m and can pose problems to the fireproof mesh systems with its flowers and leaves.

Orange jessamine is an evergreen tree species found in Australia. Going with the botanical name of Murraya paniculata, this 3m+ high vegetation is a problem to the gutter meshes with its leaves and flower.

Cassia fistula or Golden shower tree is an evergreen, 5m+ high tree. Its leaves and flowers can provide flammable components to the gutter mesh systems.

Paperbark or Melaleuca leucadendron is an evergreen tree common to the Australian landscape. It can grow at least 10m and can pose problems to the gutter mesh with its leaves and flowers.

Ficus Benjamina, commonly known as Benjamin fig is an evergreen tree. Standing at a minimum height of 20m, it can cause problems with its leaves and seeds.

Medium Sized Leaves

Medium-sized leaves can grow from 20mm to 50 mm in width and from 50mm to 120mm in length. A gutter mesh with an aperture size of 2mm to 4mm can do the trick for medium-sized leaves.

Some common Australian vegetation with medium-sized leaves is as follows:

Harpullia pendula, popular by the name of tulipwood is an evergreen tree species found in the country. It has a height of 8m, but the problem it poses with the gutter mesh is with its leaves, seeds, and flowers.

Weeping fig, commonly referred to as Ficus hillii in the botany, is a 15m+ high evergreen tree. Its leaves, flowers, and seeds can seriously test your gutter mesh protection mechanism.

Eucalyptus tereticornis, commonly known as Queensland blue gum, is an evergreen tree species. This 25m+ high plantation can produce problems with its leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Lemon-scented Myrtle is an evergreen tree standing at a generous height of 6m. It causes fireproofing issues with its leaflets, flowers, and seeds.

Grevillea baileyana is an evergreen tree standing at a prominent height of 10m. Commonly known as white oak, its leaves, seeds, and flowers are a common threat to the gutter mesh systems.

Coast banksia or Banksia integrifolia is a 25m+ high evergreen species. Its leaves, seeds, and flowers can produce problems for the gutter mesh systems.

Trumpet tree or Tabebuia is an evergreen tree common to the Australian topography. It can grow 6m-8m and can pose problems to the gutter mesh with its leaves and flowers.

Grevillea robusta, commonly known as Silky oak is an evergreen tree. Standing at a height of 14m, it can cause problems with its leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Larger Leaves

Large leaves have a greater width of 70mm to 150mm and a larger length of at least 450mm. This can be countered with a 2mm, 4mm, or even a 5.4mm gutter mesh aperture.

The information regarding plantation with these leaves is as under:

Maple or Acer palmatum is an evergreen tree species with a 6m+ tree height. Its leaflets are the main source of problems to the gutter mesh.

Archontophoenix alexandrae or Alexander’s palm is an evergreen tree species. It has a tree height of 15m+ and poses problems to the fireproof mesh systems with its flowers, seed, and leaves.

Brush box is a common evergreen tree species found in Australia. Going with the botanical name of Lophostemon confertus, this 10m-20m high vegetation is a problem to the gutter meshes with its leaves, seeds, and flowers.

Viburnum odoratissimum or Sweet viburnum is an evergreen, 4m+ high tree. Its flowers and leaves can provide a flammable component for the gutter mesh systems.

Port Jackson fig or Ficus rubiginosa is an evergreen tree common to the Australian terrain. It can grow up to 30m and can pose problems to the gutter mesh with its leaves and berries.

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, commonly known as Bangalow palm is an evergreen tree. Standing at a minimum height of 20m+, it can cause problems with its leaves, seeds, and flowers.

Magnolia little gem or Magnolia grandiflora is an evergreen tree species with a 4m+ tree height. Its leaves are the main problems to a gutter mesh.