Bunya Bunya
Araucaria bidwillii
Also listed as Marywildea bidwillii
Also known as Bunya, Bunya Pine, Bunya-bunya Pine
Climate Match for your location
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A majestic, slow-growing conifer native to Queensland with distinctive feathery, fern-like foliage arranged in whorls along the trunk. Produces large, edible nuts in heavy, cone-like structures and is excellent for specimen planting in large gardens or permaculture systems.
Why grow it
Bunya pine offers a productive nut crop from a single specimen tree, reducing the need for multiple trees compared to some other nut-bearing conifers. Its dense, symmetrical form provides substantial year-round structure in large-scale permaculture designs. The nuts are notably larger and easier to process than many alternative tree nuts, though yields are modest and irregular across years.
Watch out for
Establishment is slow, typically requiring 5-10 years before significant nut production begins. The heavy cones drop considerable debris and mature nuts are large enough to pose a hazard in high-traffic areas, so placement away from pathways and structures is advisable. Growth demands consistent moisture and deep soil in warm climates, and the tree performs poorly in cold or arid regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Araucariaceae
Native Range
Queensland, Australia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A majestic, slow-growing conifer native to Queensland with distinctive feathery, fern-like foliage arranged in whorls along the trunk. Produces large, edible nuts in heavy, cone-like structures and is excellent for specimen planting in large gardens or permaculture systems.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bunya Bunya grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bunya pine offers a productive nut crop from a single specimen tree, reducing the need for multiple trees compared to some other nut-bearing conifers. Its dense, symmetrical form provides substantial year-round structure in large-scale permaculture designs. The nuts are notably larger and easier to process than many alternative tree nuts, though yields are modest and irregular across years.
Watch out for
Establishment is slow, typically requiring 5-10 years before significant nut production begins. The heavy cones drop considerable debris and mature nuts are large enough to pose a hazard in high-traffic areas, so placement away from pathways and structures is advisable. Growth demands consistent moisture and deep soil in warm climates, and the tree performs poorly in cold or arid regions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Araucariaceae
Native Range
Queensland, Australia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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