Once established Bursarias  are extremely hardy and will last 30-50 years. They are aggressive colonisers of marginal or disturbed sites and regeneration from rhizomes, e.g. after fire, can be rapid and extensive. In Victoria, on an environmental continuum with no distinct entities, it has been observed that young plants and those from drier sites tend to be spinescent and small-leaved, while mature plants from well-watered areas (coasts, river valleys, fertile plains) tend to be large-leaved, virtually spineless and are often arborescent.

Cultivation and uses

Bursaria spinosa is of high wildlife value, as a habitat for birds and as a nectar source. It is a useful honey plant in poor seasons, producing medium to heavy quantities of pollen and average amounts of a damp amber honey. The drug aesculin is extracted from leaves and has been harvested commercially in Australia. Timber is pale fine-grained and tough; seasons well due to little shrinkage; takes polish well, however with slender trunks usually less than 19 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), the timber potential is not great.