Araucaria bidwillii

The bunya pine is one of the few trees that can be identified from a kilometre away, a dark, domed crown carried on tiers of stiff, horizontal branches, the foliage glossy and sharply pointed. It is a survivor of an ancient southern lineage, and its nuts drew people together for gatherings across the Bunya Mountains long before it entered gardens.

In the landscape

A landmark tree rather than a background one, sited alone in open lawn or parkland the whorled, horizontal branching reads from a long way off. Allow 12–15 m between trees in parkland plantings. One siting rule matters: the cones ripen to the weight of a bowling ball and fall through summer, so keep it well clear of car parking, seating, paths and play areas. Given that clearance it is one of the great specimen conifers for Australian landscapes.

Growing notes

An evergreen conifer of the Araucarian line, hardy over a wide range. Queensland, New South Wales, and cool southern districts including Victoria and South Australia, where mature specimens have stood for over a century. Frost hardy once established, and our stock is grown at 750 m on the Ravensbourne escarpment where it is exposed to genuine cold. It accepts most soils with reasonable drainage, grows at a moderate rate, and reaches roughly 25–40 m tall by 10–15 m wide in the ground over a long life. Drought tolerant once established, with non-invasive roots.

This tree

Field-grown ex-ground at Ravensbourne Farm, root-pruned and basket-lifted, delivered and craned Australia-wide. Price on application through the Shortlist.