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ConifersConservatory GreenhouseTrees

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

Other common names
bunya bunya
bunya pine

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
more than 50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H1C
Botanical 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

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