Araucaria bidwillii
bunya-bunya pine
A very large coniferous tree, to 45m tall, with whorled branches. Its habit is conical when young, eventually becoming rounded and losing the lower branches. The flattened, glossy, spine-tipped leaves are arranged spirally when young, overlapping when older. It produces massive cones, up to 30cm long, green ripening to brown, with edible nuts
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
more than 50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Green | Brown | |
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Araucariaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Araucaria are evergreen trees from the Southern Hemisphere, with whorled branches bearing spirally arranged leaves that may be needle-like, triangular or scale-like, and small male, and large female cones, usually on separate trees
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- NE Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow as a containerised tree under glass in areas liable to temperatures below 5°C. The plant may be placed outside in a sheltered, sunny position during the summer In containers, use a well-drained, loam-based potting compost with extra grit. Water freely during the growing season, spring to early autumn,and keep the compost just moist during the winter. Apply a balanced fertiliser every two weeks during the growing season
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in seedbed as soon as ripe; take semi-ripe cuttings of vertical shoot tips in midsummer and root in a cold frame, cuttings of horizontal side branches will not form an upright tree
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Architectural
Pruning
Pruning group 1; little or no pruning is required, as this can permanently spoil the shape of the tree
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
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