Bunya pine - Araucaria bidwillii

Description and Uses

Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine) is a tropical tree from Northern Australia. It is mainly grown for its nut crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; nut, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 24 - 28 years. The first yield will be 10kg/bole but in its top season there will be a yield of 70 kg/tree. The seed/nut is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The seed/nut contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). There is no oil extracted from this tree. The tree`s wood is called Bunya pine wood and has a density of 420 - 440 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4500 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is slow; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 90 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Araucaria bidwillii has a lifespan of 450 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 48 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Araucaria bidwillii has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus clarum fungus. (ecto-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is bi-sexual and is pollinated by wind. Araucaria bidwillii is evergreen and a bit allelopathic and has thorns.

Araucaria bidwillii thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1200 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -5°C and optimally between 20 - 27°C. The optimal rainfall is 1900 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 900 - 2000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind 4 and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

has no pests and to Leaf spot as disease diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are stratificant and can be stored for 2 months. There are approximative 73.5 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds moisty at a chilling temperature of 3-7 degrees C for 2-4 months, (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil., (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature.

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